But I am
going now to keep a sharp look-out on him; and if I see anything
very suspicious going on, I'll just take him by the nape of his neck,
and say--Look here, Beelzebub, you don't do it; and if he makes
any fuss, by the Lord I'll make a grab into his pocket for his tail,
take it to the capstan, and give him such a wrenching and heaving,
that his tail will come short off at the stump--do you see; and then,
I rather guess when he finds himself docked in that queer fashion,
he'll sneak off without the poor satisfaction of feeling his tail
between his legs."
"And what will you do with the tail, Stubb?"
"Do with it? Sell it for an ox whip when we get home;--what else?"
"Now, do you mean what you say, and have been saying all along, Stubb?"
"Mean or not mean, here we are at the ship."
The boats were here hailed, to tow the whale on the larboard side,
where fluke chains and other necessaries were already prepared
for securing him.
"Didn't I tell you so?" said Flask; "yes, you'll soon see this
right whale's head hoisted up opposite that parmacety's."
In good time, Flask's saying proved true. As before, the Pequod steeply
leaned over towards the sperm whale's head, now, by the counterpoise
of both heads, she regained her even keel; though sorely strained,
you may well believe.
Pages:
514
515
516
517
518
519
520
521
522
523
524
525
526
527
528
529
530
531
532
533
534
535
536
537
538