Hence it is, that,
while other ships may have gone to China from New York,
and back again, touching at a score of ports, the whale-ship,
in all that interval, may not have sighted one grain of soil;
her crew having seen no man but floating seamen like themselves.
So that did you carry them the news that another flood had come;
they would only answer--"Well, boys, here's the ark!"
Now, as many Sperm Whales had been captured off the western
coast of Java, in the near vicinity of the Straits of Sunda;
indeed, as most of the ground, roundabout, was generally
recognised by the fishermen as an excellent spot for cruising;
therefore, as the Pequod gained more and more upon Java Head,
the look-outs were repeatedly hailed, and admonished to keep wide awake.
But though the green palmy cliffs of the land soon loomed on
the starboard bow, and with delighted nostrils the fresh cinnamon
was snuffed in the air, yet not a single jet was descried.
Almost renouncing all thought of falling in with any game hereabouts,
the ship had well nigh entered the straits, when the customary
cheering cry was heard from aloft, and ere long a spectacle
of singular magnificence saluted us.
But here be it premised, that owing to the unwearied activity
with which of late they have been hunted over all four oceans,
the Sperm Whales, instead of almost invariably sailing in small
detached companies, as in former times, are now frequently met
with in extensive herds, sometimes embracing so great a multitude,
that it would almost seem as if numerous nations of them had sworn
solemn league and covenant for mutual assistance and protection.
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