The story told, the stranger Captain immediately went on to reveal
his object in boarding the Pequod. He desired that ship to unite
with his own in the search; by sailing over the sea some four or five
miles apart, on parallel lines, and so sweeping a double horizon,
as it were.
"I will wager something now," whispered Stubb to Flask, "that some one
in that missing boat wore off that Captain's best coat; mayhap, his watch--
he's so cursed anxious to get it back. Who ever heard of two pious
whale-ships cruising after one missing whale-boat in the height
of the whaling season? See, Flask, only see how pale he looks--
pale in the very buttons of his eyes--look--it wasn't the coat--
it must have been the-"
"My boy, my own boy is among them. For God's sake--I beg, I conjure"--
here exclaimed the stranger Captain to Ahab, who thus far had but
icily received his petition. "For eight-and-forty hours let me
charter your ship--I will gladly pay for it, and roundly pay for it--
if there be no other way--for eight-and-forty hours only--only that--
you must, oh, you must, and you shall do this thing."
"His son!" cried Stubb, "oh, it's his son he's lost!
I take back the coat and watch--what says Ahab? We must
save that boy.
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