English
Enteringthatgable-endedSpouter-Inn,youfoundyourselfinawide,low,stragglingentrywithold-fashionedwainscots,remindingoneofthebulwarksofsomecondemnedoldcraft.
Ononesidehungaverylargeoilpaintingsothoroughlybesmoked,andeverywaydefaced,thatintheunequalcrosslightsbywhichyouviewedit,itwasonlybydiligentstudyandaseriesofsystematicvisitstoit,andcarefulinquiryoftheneighbors,thatyoucouldanywayarriveatanunderstandingofitspurpose.
Suchunaccountablemassesofshadesandshadows,thatatfirstyoualmostthoughtsomeambitiousyoungartist,inthetimeoftheNewEnglandhags,hadendeavoredtodelineatechaosbewitched.
Butbydintofmuchandearnestcontemplation,andoftrepeatedponderings,andespeciallybythrowingopenthelittlewindowtowardsthebackoftheentry,youatlastcometotheconclusionthatsuchanidea,howeverwild,mightnotbealtogetherunwarranted.
Butwhatmostpuzzledandconfoundedyouwasalong,limber,portentous,blackmassofsomethinghoveringinthecentreofthepictureoverthreeblue,dim,perpendicularlinesfloatinginanamelessyeast.
Aboggy,soggy,squitchypicturetruly,enoughtodriveanervousmandistracted.
Yetwasthereasortofindefinite,half-attained,unimaginablesublimityaboutitthatfairlyfrozeyoutoit,tillyouinvoluntarilytookanoathwithyourselftofindoutwhatthatmarvellouspaintingmeant.
Everandanonabright,but,alas,deceptiveideawoulddartyouthrough.
-It’stheBlackSeainamidnightgale.
-It’stheunnaturalcombatofthefourprimalelements.-It’sablastedheath.-It’saHyperboreanwinterscene.
-It’sthebreaking-upoftheiceboundstreamofTime.
Butlastallthesefanciesyieldedtothatoneportentoussomethinginthepicture’smidst.
Thatoncefoundout,andalltherestwereplain.
Butstop;doesitnotbearafaintresemblancetoagiganticfish?eventhegreatleviathanhimself?
Infact,theartist’sdesignseemedthis:afinaltheoryofmyown,partlybasedupontheaggregatedopinionsofmanyagedpersonswithwhomIconverseduponthesubject.
ThepicturerepresentsaCape-Hornerinagreathurricane;thehalf-founderedshipwelteringtherewithitsthreedismantledmastsalonevisible;andanexasperatedwhale,purposingtospringcleanoverthecraft,isintheenormousactofimpalinghimselfuponthethreemast-heads.
Theoppositewallofthisentrywashungalloverwithaheathenisharrayofmonstrousclubsandspears.
Somewerethicklysetwithglitteringteethresemblingivorysaws;othersweretuftedwithknotsofhumanhair;andonewassickle-shaped,withavasthandlesweepingroundlikethesegmentmadeinthenew-mowngrassbyalong-armedmower.
Youshudderedasyougazed,andwonderedwhatmonstrouscannibalandsavagecouldeverhavegoneadeath-harvestingwithsuchahacking,horrifyingimplement.
Mixedwiththesewererustyoldwhalinglancesandharpoonsallbrokenanddeformed.Somewerestoriedweapons.
Withthisoncelonglance,nowwildlyelbowed,fiftyyearsagodidNathanSwainkillfifteenwhalesbetweenasunriseandasunset.
Andthatharpoon-solikeacorkscrewnow-wasflunginJavanseas,andrunawaywithbyawhale,yearsafterwardsslainofftheCapeofBlanco.
Theoriginalironenterednighthetail,and,likearestlessneedlesojourninginthebodyofaman,travelledfullfortyfeet,andatlastwasfoundimbeddedinthehump.
Crossingthisduskyentry,andonthroughyonlow-archedway-cutthroughwhatinoldtimesmusthavebeenagreatcentralchimneywithfireplacesallround-youenterthepublicroom.
Astillduskierplaceisthis,withsuchlowponderousbeamsabove,andsucholdwrinkledplanksbeneath,thatyouwouldalmostfancyyoutrodsomeoldcraft’scockpits,especiallyofsuchahowlingnight,whenthiscorner-anchoredoldarkrockedsofuriously.
Ononesidestoodalong,low,shelf-liketablecoveredwithcrackedglasscases,filledwithdustyraritiesgatheredfromthiswideworld’sremotestnooks.
Projectingfromthefurtherangleoftheroomstandsadark-lookingden-thebar-arudeattemptatarightwhale’shead.
Bethathowitmay,therestandsthevastarchedboneofthewhale’sjaw,sowide,acoachmightalmostdrivebeneathit.
Withinareshabbyshelves,rangedroundwitholddecanters,bottles,flasks;andinthosejawsofswiftdestruction,likeanothercursedJonah(bywhichnameindeedtheycalledhim),bustlesalittlewitheredoldman,who,fortheirmoney,dearlysellsthesailorsdeliriumsanddeath.
Abominablearethetumblersintowhichhepourshispoison.
Thoughtruecylinderswithout-within,thevillanousgreengogglingglassesdeceitfullytapereddownwardstoacheatingbottom.
Parallelmeridiansrudelypeckedintotheglass,surroundthesefootpads’goblets.
Filltothismark,andyourchargeisbutapenny;tothisapennymore;andsoontothefullglass-theCapeHornmeasure,whichyoumaygulpdownforashilling.
UponenteringtheplaceIfoundanumberofyoungseamengatheredaboutatable,examiningbyadimlightdiversspecimensofskrimshander.
Isoughtthelandlord,andtellinghimIdesiredtobeaccommodatedwitharoom,receivedforanswerthathishousewasfull-notabedunoccupied.
“Butavast,”headded,tappinghisforehead,“youhaintnoobjectionstosharingaharpooneer’sblanket,haveye?
Is’poseyouaregoin’a-whalin’,soyou’dbettergetusedtothatsortofthing.”
ItoldhimthatIneverlikedtosleeptwoinabed;thatifIshouldeverdoso,itwoulddependuponwhotheharpooneermightbe,andthatifhe(thelandlord)reallyhadnootherplaceforme,andtheharpooneerwasnotdecidedlyobjectionable,whyratherthanwanderfurtheraboutastrangetownonsobitteranight,Iwouldputupwiththehalfofanydecentman’sblanket.
“Ithoughtso.Allright;takeaseat.Supper?-youwantsupper?Supper’llbereadydirectly.”
Isatdownonanoldwoodensettle,carvedalloverlikeabenchontheBattery.
Atoneendaruminatingtarwasstillfurtheradorningitwithhisjack-knife,stoopingoveranddiligentlyworkingawayatthespacebetweenhislegs.
Hewastryinghishandatashipunderfullsail,buthedidn’tmakemuchheadway,Ithought.
Atlastsomefourorfiveofusweresummonedtoourmealinanadjoiningroom.
ItwascoldasIceland-nofireatall-thelandlordsaidhecouldn’taffordit.
Nothingbuttwodismaltallowcandles,eachinawindingsheet.
Wewerefaintobuttonupourmonkeyjackets,andholdtoourlipscupsofscaldingteawithourhalffrozenfingers.
Butthefarewasofthemostsubstantialkind-notonlymeatandpotatoes,butdumplings;goodheavens!dumplingsforsupper!
Oneyoungfellowinagreenboxcoat,addressedhimselftothesedumplingsinamostdirefulmanner.
“Myboy,”saidthelandlord,“you’llhavethenightmaretoadeadsartainty.”
“Landlord,”Iwhispered,“thatainttheharpooneerisit?”
“Oh,no,”saidhe,lookingasortofdiabolicallyfunny,“theharpooneerisadarkcomplexionedchap.Henevereatsdumplings,hedon’t-heeatsnothingbutsteaks,andhelikes‘emrare.”
“Thedevilhedoes,”saysI.“Whereisthatharpooneer?Ishehere?”
“He’llbehereaforelong,”wastheanswer.
Icouldnothelpit,butIbegantofeelsuspiciousofthis“darkcomplexioned”harpooneer.
Atanyrate,Imadeupmymindthatifitsoturnedoutthatweshouldsleeptogether,hemustundressandgetintobedbeforeIdid.
Supperover,thecompanywentbacktothebar-room,when,knowingnotwhatelsetodowithmyself,Iresolvedtospendtherestoftheeveningasalookeron.
Presentlyariotingnoisewasheardwithout.
Startingup,thelandlordcried,“That’stheGrampus’screw.
Iseedherreportedintheoffingthismorning;athreeyears’voyage,andafullship.
Hurrah,boys;nowwe’llhavethelatestnewsfromtheFeegees.”
Atrampingofseabootswasheardintheentry;thedoorwasflungopen,andinrolledawildsetofmarinersenough.
Envelopedintheirshaggywatchcoats,andwiththeirheadsmuffledinwoollencomforters,allbedarnedandragged,andtheirbeardsstiffwithicicles,theyseemedaneruptionofbearsfromLabrador.
Theyhadjustlandedfromtheirboat,andthiswasthefirsthousetheyentered.
Nowonder,then,thattheymadeastraightwakeforthewhale’smouth-thebar-whenthewrinkledlittleoldJonah,thereofficiating,soonpouredthemoutbrimmersallround.
Onecomplainedofabadcoldinhishead,uponwhichJonahmixedhimapitch-likepotionofginandmolasses,whichhesworewasasovereigncureforallcoldsandcatarrhswhatsoever,nevermindofhowlongstanding,orwhethercaughtoffthecoastofLabrador,orontheweathersideofanice-island.
Theliquorsoonmountedintotheirheads,asitgenerallydoesevenwiththearrantesttopersnewlylandedfromsea,andtheybegancaperingaboutmostobstreperously.
Iobserved,however,thatoneofthemheldsomewhataloof,andthoughheseemeddesirousnottospoilthehilarityofhisshipmatesbyhisownsoberface,yetuponthewholeherefrainedfrommakingasmuchnoiseastherest.
Thismaninterestedmeatonce;andsincethesea-godshadordainedthatheshouldsoonbecomemyshipmate(thoughbutasleepingpartnerone,sofarasthisnarrativeisconcerned),Iwillhereventureuponalittledescriptionofhim.
Hestoodfullsixfeetinheight,withnobleshoulders,andachestlikeacoffer-dam.Ihaveseldomseensuchbrawninaman.
Hisfacewasdeeplybrownandburnt,makinghiswhiteteethdazzlingbythecontrast;whileinthedeepshadowsofhiseyesfloatedsomereminiscencesthatdidnotseemtogivehimmuchjoy.
HisvoiceatonceannouncedthathewasaSoutherner,andfromhisfinestature,IthoughthemustbeoneofthosetallmountaineersfromtheAlleghanianRidgeinVirginia.
Whentherevelryofhiscompanionshadmountedtoitsheight,thismanslippedawayunobserved,andIsawnomoreofhimtillhebecamemycomradeonthesea.
Inafewminutes,however,hewasmissedbyhisshipmates,andbeing,itseems,forsomereasonahugefavoritewiththem,theyraisedacryof“Bulkington!Bulkington!where’sBulkington?”
anddartedoutofthehouseinpursuitofhim.
Itwasnowaboutnineo’clock,andtheroomseemingalmostsupernaturallyquietaftertheseorgies,Ibegantocongratulatemyselfuponalittleplanthathadoccurredtomejustprevioustotheentranceoftheseamen.
Nomanpreferstosleeptwoinabed.Infact,youwouldagooddealrathernotsleepwithyourownbrother.
Idon’tknowhowitis,butpeopleliketobeprivatewhentheyaresleeping.
Andwhenitcomestosleepingwithanunknownstranger,inastrangeinn,inastrangetown,andthatstrangeraharpooneer,thenyourobjectionsindefinitelymultiply.
NorwasthereanyearthlyreasonwhyIasasailorshouldsleeptwoinabed,morethananybodyelse;forsailorsnomoresleeptwoinabedatsea,thanbachelorKingsdoashore.
Tobesuretheyallsleeptogetherinoneapartment,butyouhaveyourownhammock,andcoveryourselfwithyourownblanket,andsleepinyourownskin.
ThemoreIponderedoverthisharpooneer,themoreIabominatedthethoughtofsleepingwithhim.
Itwasfairtopresumethatbeingaharpooneer,hislinenorwoolen,asthecasemightbe,wouldnotbeofthetidiest,certainlynoneofthefinest.Ibegantotwitchallover.
Besides,itwasgettinglate,andmydecentharpooneeroughttobehomeandgoingbedwards.
Supposenow,heshouldtumbleinuponmeatmidnight-howcouldItellfromwhatvileholehehadbeencoming?
“Landlord!I’vechangedmymindaboutthatharpooneer.-Ishan’tsleepwithhim.I’lltrythebenchhere.”
“Justasyouplease;I’msorryIcantspareyeatableclothforamattress,andit’saplaguyroughboardhere”-feelingoftheknotsandnotches.
“Butwaitabit,Skrimshander;I’vegotacarpenter’splanethereinthebar-wait,Isay,andI’llmakeyesnugenough.”
Sosayingheprocuredtheplane;andwithhisoldsilkhandkerchieffirstdustingthebench,vigorouslysettoplaningawayatmybed,thewhilegrinninglikeanape.
Theshavingsflewrightandleft;tillatlasttheplane-ironcamebumpagainstanindestructibleknot.
Thelandlordwasnearspraininghiswrist,andItoldhimforheaven’ssaketoquit-thebedwassoftenoughtosuitme,andIdidnotknowhowalltheplaningintheworldcouldmakeeiderdownofapineplank.
Sogatheringuptheshavingswithanothergrin,andthrowingthemintothegreatstoveinthemiddleoftheroom,hewentabouthisbusiness,andleftmeinabrownstudy.
Inowtookthemeasureofthebench,andfoundthatitwasafoottooshort;butthatcouldbemendedwithachair.
Butitwasafoottoonarrow,andtheotherbenchintheroomwasaboutfourincheshigherthantheplanedone-sotherewasnoyokingthem.
Ithenplacedthefirstbenchlengthwisealongtheonlyclearspaceagainstthewall,leavingalittleintervalbetween,formybacktosettledownin.
ButIsoonfoundthattherecamesuchadraughtofcoldairovermefromunderthesillofthewindow,thatthisplanwouldneverdoatall,especiallyasanothercurrentfromthericketydoormettheonefromthewindow,andbothtogetherformedaseriesofsmallwhirlwindsintheimmediatevicinityofthespotwhereIhadthoughttospendthenight.
Thedevilfetchthatharpooneer,thoughtI,butstop,couldn’tIstealamarchonhim-bolthisdoorinside,andjumpintohisbed,nottobewakenedbythemostviolentknockings?
ItseemednobadideabutuponsecondthoughtsIdismissedit.
Forwhocouldtellbutwhatthenextmorning,sosoonasIpoppedoutoftheroom,theharpooneermightbestandingintheentry,allreadytoknockmedown!
Stilllookingroundmeagain,andseeingnopossiblechanceofspendingasufferablenightunlessinsomeotherperson’sbed,IbegantothinkthatafterallImightbecherishingunwarrantableprejudicesagainstthisunknownharpooneer.
ThinksI,I’llwaitawhile;hemustbedroppinginbeforelong.
I’llhaveagoodlookathimthen,andperhapswemaybecomejollygoodbedfellowsafterall-there’snotelling.
Butthoughtheotherboarderskeptcominginbyones,twos,andthrees,andgoingtobed,yetnosignofmyharpooneer.
“Landlord!saidI,“whatsortofachapishe-doeshealwayskeepsuchlatehours?”Itwasnowhardupontwelveo’clock.
Thelandlordchuckledagainwithhisleanchuckle,andseemedtobemightilytickledatsomethingbeyondmycomprehension.
“No,”heanswered,“generallyhe’sanearlybird-airleytobedandairleytorise-yea,he’sthebirdwhatcatchestheworm.
Butto-nighthewentoutapeddling,yousee,andIdon’tseewhatonairthkeepshimsolate,unless,maybe,hecan’tsellhishead.”
“Can’tsellhishead?-Whatsortofabamboozinglystoryisthisyouaretellingme?”gettingintoatoweringrage.
“Doyoupretendtosay,landlord,thatthisharpooneerisactuallyengagedthisblessedSaturdaynight,orratherSundaymorning,inpeddlinghisheadaroundthistown?”
“That’spreciselyit,”saidthelandlord,“andItoldhimhecouldn’tsellithere,themarket’soverstocked.”
“Withwhat?”shoutedI.
“Withheadstobesure;ain’ttheretoomanyheadsintheworld?”
“Itellyouwhatitis,landlord,”saidIquitecalmly,“you’dbetterstopspinningthatyarntome-I’mnotgreen.”
“Maybenot,”takingoutastickandwhittlingatoothpick,“butIraytherguessyou’llbedonebrownifthatereharpooneerhearsyouaslanderin’hishead.”
“I’llbreakitforhim,”saidI,nowflyingintoapassionagainatthisunaccountablefarragoofthelandlord’s.
“It’sbrokea’ready,”saidhe.
“Broke,”saidI-“broke,doyoumean?”
“Sartain,andthat’stheveryreasonhecan’tsellit,Iguess.”
“Landlord,”saidI,goinguptohimascoolasMt.Heclainasnowstorm-“landlord,stopwhittling.
YouandImustunderstandoneanother,andthattoowithoutdelay.
Icometoyourhouseandwantabed;youtellmeyoucanonlygivemehalfaone;thattheotherhalfbelongstoacertainharpooneer.
Andaboutthisharpooneer,whomIhavenotyetseen,youpersistintellingmethemostmystifyingandexasperatingstoriestendingtobegetinmeanuncomfortablefeelingtowardsthemanwhomyoudesignformybedfellow-asortofconnexion,landlord,whichisanintimateandconfidentialoneinthehighestdegree.
Inowdemandofyoutospeakoutandtellmewhoandwhatthisharpooneeris,andwhetherIshallbeinallrespectssafetospendthenightwithhim.
Andinthefirstplace,youwillbesogoodastounsaythatstoryaboutsellinghishead,whichiftrueItaketobegoodevidencethatthisharpooneerisstarkmad,andI’venoideaofsleepingwithamadman;andyou,sir,youImean,landlord,you,sir,bytryingtoinducemetodosoknowinglywouldtherebyrenderyourselfliabletoacriminalprosecution.”
“Wall,”saidthelandlord,fetchingalongbreath,“that’sapurtylongsarmonforachapthatripsalittlenowandthen.
Butbeeasy,beeasy,thishereharpooneerIhavebeentellin’youofhasjustarrivedfromthesouthseas,whereheboughtupalotof‘balmedNewZealandheads(greatcurios,youknow),andhe’ssoldallon‘embutone,andthatonehe’stryingtosellto-night,causeto-morrow’sSunday,anditwouldnotdotobesellin’humanheadsaboutthestreetswhenfolksisgoin’tochurches.
HewantedtolastSunday,butIstoppedhimjustashewasgoin’outofthedoorwithfourheadsstrungonastring,foralltheairthlikeastringofinions.”
Thisaccountcleareduptheotherwiseunaccountablemystery,andshowedthatthelandlord,afterall,hadhadnoideaoffoolingme-butatthesametimewhatcouldIthinkofaharpooneerwhostayedoutofaSaturdaynightcleanintotheholySabbath,engagedinsuchacannibalbusinessassellingtheheadsofdeadidolators?
“Dependuponit,landlord,thatharpooneerisadangerousman.”
“Hepaysreg’lar,”wastherejoinder.“Butcome,it’sanicebed:Salandmesleptinthaterebedthenightwewerespliced.
There’splentyofroomfortwotokickaboutinthatbed;it’sanalmightybigbedthat.
Why,aforewegiveitup,SalusedtoputourSamandlittleJohnnyinthefootofit.
ButIgotadreamingandsprawlingaboutonenight,andsomehow,Samgotpitchedonthefloor,andcamenearbreakinghisarm.Arterthat,Salsaiditwouldn’tdo.
Comealonghere,I’llgiveyeagliminajiffy;”andsosayinghelightedacandleandheldittowardsme,offeringtoleadtheway.
ButIstoodirresolute;whenlookingataclockinthecorner,heexclaimed“Ivumit’sSunday-youwon’tseethatharpooneerto-night;he’scometoanchorsomewhere-comealongthen;docome;won’tyecome?”
Iconsideredthematteramoment,andthenupstairswewent,andIwasusheredintoasmallroom,coldasaclam,andfurnished,sureenough,withaprodigiousbed,almostbigenoughindeedforanyfourharpooneerstosleepabreast.
“There,”saidthelandlord,placingthecandleonacrazyoldseachestthatdiddoubledutyasawash-standandcentretable;“there,makeyourselfcomfortablenow;andgoodnighttoye.”
Iturnedroundfromeyeingthebed,buthehaddisappeared.
Foldingbackthecounterpane,Istoopedoverthebed.
Thoughnoneofthemostelegant,ityetstoodthescrutinytolerablywell.
Ithenglancedroundtheroom;andbesidesthebedsteadandcentretable,couldseenootherfurniturebelongingtotheplace,butarudeshelf,thefourwalls,andapaperedfireboardrepresentingamanstrikingawhale.
Ofthingsnotproperlybelongingtotheroom,therewasahammocklashedup,andthrownuponthefloorinonecorner;alsoalargeseaman’sbag,containingtheharpooneer’swardrobe,nodoubtinlieuofalandtrunk.
Likewise,therewasaparcelofoutlandishbonefishhooksontheshelfoverthefire-place,andatallharpoonstandingattheheadofthebed.
Butwhatisthisonthechest?Itookitup,andhelditclosetothelight,andfeltit,andsmeltit,andtriedeverywaypossibletoarriveatsomesatisfactoryconclusionconcerningit.
Icancompareittonothingbutalargedoormat,ornamentedattheedgeswithlittletinklingtagssomethinglikethestainedporcupinequillsroundanIndianmoccasin.
Therewasaholeorslitinthemiddleofthismat,asyouseethesameinSouthAmericanponchos.
Butcoulditbepossiblethatanysoberharpooneerwouldgetintoadoormat,andparadethestreetsofanyChristiantowninthatsortofguise?
Iputiton,totryit,anditweighedmedownlikeahamper,beinguncommonlyshaggyandthick,andIthoughtalittledamp,asthoughthismysteriousharpooneerhadbeenwearingitofarainyday.
Iwentupinittoabitofglassstuckagainstthewall,andIneversawsuchasightinmylife.
ItoremyselfoutofitinsuchahurrythatIgavemyselfakinkintheneck.
Isatdownonthesideofthebed,andcommencedthinkingaboutthishead-peddlingharpooneer,andhisdoormat.
Afterthinkingsometimeonthebed-side,Igotupandtookoffmymonkeyjacket,andthenstoodinthemiddleoftheroomthinking.
Ithentookoffmycoat,andthoughtalittlemoreinmyshirtsleeves.
Butbeginningtofeelverycoldnow,halfundressedasIwas,andrememberingwhatthelandlordsaidabouttheharpooneer’snotcominghomeatallthatnight,itbeingsoverylate,Imadenomoreado,butjumpedoutofmypantaloonsandboots,andthenblowingoutthelighttumbledintobed,andcommendedmyselftothecareofheaven.
Whetherthatmattresswasstuffedwithcorncobsorbrokencrockery,thereisnotelling,butIrolledaboutagooddeal,andcouldnotsleepforalongtime.
AtlastIslidoffintoalightdoze,andhadprettynearlymadeagoodoffingtowardsthelandofNod,whenIheardaheavyfootfallinthepassage,andsawaglimmeroflightcomeintotheroomfromunderthedoor.
Lordsaveme,thinksI,thatmustbetheharpooneer,theinfernalhead-peddler.
ButIlayperfectlystill,andresolvednottosayawordtillspokento.
Holdingalightinonehand,andthatidenticalNewZealandheadintheother,thestrangerenteredtheroom,andwithoutlookingtowardsthebed,placedhiscandleagoodwayofffrommeonthefloorinonecorner,andthenbeganworkingawayattheknottedcordsofthelargebagIbeforespokeofasbeingintheroom.
Iwasalleagernesstoseehisface,buthekeptitavertedforsometimewhileemployedinunlacingthebag’smouth.
Thisaccomplished,however,heturnedround-when,goodheavens;whatasight!Suchaface!
Itwasofadark,purplish,yellowcolor,hereandtherestuckoverwithlargeblackishlookingsquares.
Yes,it’sjustasIthought,he’saterriblebedfellow;he’sbeeninafight,gotdreadfullycut,andhereheis,justfromthesurgeon.
Butatthatmomenthechancedtoturnhisfacesotowardsthelight,thatIplainlysawtheycouldnotbesticking-plastersatall,thoseblacksquaresonhischeeks.Theywerestainsofsomesortorother.
AtfirstIknewnotwhattomakeofthis;butsoonaninklingofthetruthoccurredtome.
Irememberedastoryofawhiteman-awhalemantoo-who,fallingamongthecannibals,hadbeentattooedbythem.
Iconcludedthatthisharpooneer,inthecourseofhisdistantvoyages,musthavemetwithasimilaradventure.Andwhatisit,thoughtI,afterall!
It’sonlyhisoutside;amancanbehonestinanysortofskin.
Butthen,whattomakeofhisunearthlycomplexion,thatpartofit,Imean,lyingroundabout,andcompletelyindependentofthesquaresoftattooing.
Tobesure,itmightbenothingbutagoodcoatoftropicaltanning;butIneverheardofahotsun’stanningawhitemanintoapurplishyellowone.
However,IhadneverbeenintheSouthSeas;andperhapsthesunthereproducedtheseextraordinaryeffectsupontheskin.
Now,whilealltheseideaswerepassingthroughmelikelightning,thisharpooneernevernoticedmeatall.
But,aftersomedifficultyhavingopenedhisbag,hecommencedfumblinginit,andpresentlypulledoutasortoftomahawk,andaseal-skinwalletwiththehairon.
Placingtheseontheoldchestinthemiddleofaroom,hethentooktheNewZealandhead-aghastlythingenough-andcrammeditdownintothebag.
Henowtookoffhishat-anewbeaverhat-whenIcamenighsingingoutwithfreshsurprise.
Therewasnohaironhishead-nonetospeakofatleast-nothingbutasmallscalp-knottwisteduponhisforehead.
Hisbaldpurplishheadnowlookedforalltheworldlikeamildewedskull.
Hadnotthestrangerstoodbetweenmeandthedoor,IwouldhaveboltedoutofitquickerthaneverIboltedadinner.
Evenasitwas,Ithoughtsomethingofslippingoutofthewindow,butitwasthesecondfloorback.
Iamnocoward,butwhattomakeofthisheadpeddlingpurplerascalaltogetherpassedmycomprehension.
Ignoranceistheparentoffear,andbeingcompletelynonplussedandconfoundedaboutthestranger,IconfessIwasnowasmuchafraidofhimasifitwasthedevilhimselfwhohadthusbrokenintomyroomatthedeadofnight.
Infact,IwassoafraidofhimthatIwasnotgameenoughjustthentoaddresshim,anddemandasatisfactoryanswerconcerningwhatseemedinexplicableinhim.
Meanwhile,hecontinuedthebusinessofundressing,andatlastshowedhischestandarms.
AsIlive,thesecoveredpartsofhimwerecheckeredwiththesamesquaresashisface,hisback,too,wasalloverthesamedarksquares;heseemedtohavebeeninaThirtyYears’War,andjustescapedfromitwithasticking-plastershirt.
Stillmore,hisverylegsweremarked,asaparcelofdarkgreenfrogswererunningupthetrunksofyoungpalms.
ItwasnowquiteplainthathemustbesomeabominablesavageorothershippedaboardofawhalemanintheSouthSeas,andsolandedinthisChristiancountry.Iquakedtothinkofit.
Apeddlerofheadstoo-perhapstheheadsofhisownbrothers.Hemighttakeafancytomine-heavens!lookatthattomahawk!
Buttherewasnotimeforshuddering,fornowthesavagewentaboutsomethingthatcompletelyfascinatedmyattention,andconvincedmethathemustindeedbeaheathen.
Goingtohisheavygrego,orwrapall,ordreadnaught,whichhehadpreviouslyhungonachair,hefumbledinthepockets,andproducedatlengthacuriouslittledeformedimagewithahunchonitsback,andexactlythecolorofathreedays’oldCongobaby.
Rememberingtheembalmedhead,atfirstIalmostthoughtthatthisblackmanikinwasarealbabypreservedsomesimilarmanner.
Butseeingthatitwasnotatalllimber,andthatitglistenedagooddeallikepolishedebony,Iconcludedthatitmustbenothingbutawoodenidol,whichindeeditprovedtobe.
Fornowthesavagegoesuptotheemptyfire-place,andremovingthepaperedfire-board,setsupthislittlehunch-backedimage,likeatenpin,betweentheandirons.
Thechimneyjambsandallthebricksinsidewereverysooty,sothatIthoughtthisfire-placemadeaveryappropriatelittleshrineorchapelforhisCongoidol.
Inowscrewedmyeyeshardtowardsthehalfhiddenimage,feelingbutillateasemeantime-toseewhatwasnexttofollow.
Firsthetakesaboutadoublehandfulofshavingsoutofhisgregopocket,andplacesthemcarefullybeforetheidol;thenlayingabitofshipbiscuitontopandapplyingtheflamefromthelamp,hekindledtheshavingsintoasacrificialblaze.
Presently,aftermanyhastysnatchesintothefire,andstillhastierwithdrawalsofhisfingers(wherebyheseemedtobescorchingthembadly),heatlastsucceededindrawingoutthebiscuit;thenblowingofftheheatandashesalittle,hemadeapoliteofferofittothelittlenegro.
Butthelittledevildidnotseemtofancysuchdrysortoffareatall;henevermovedhislips.
Allthesestrangeanticswereaccompaniedbystillstrangergutturalnoisesfromthedevotee,whoseemedtobeprayinginasing-songorelsesingingsomepaganpsalmodyorother,duringwhichhisfacetwitchedaboutinthemostunnaturalmanner.
Atlastextinguishingthefire,hetooktheidolupveryunceremoniously,andbaggeditagaininhisgregopocketascarelesslyasifhewereasportsmanbaggingadeadwoodcock.
Allthesequeerproceedingsincreasedmyuncomfortableness,andseeinghimnowexhibitingstrongsymptomsofconcludinghisbusinessoperations,andjumpingintobedwithme,Ithoughtitwashightime,nowornever,beforethelightwasputout,tobreakthespellinwhichIhadsolongbeenbound.
ButtheintervalIspentindeliberatingwhattosay,wasafatalone.
Takinguphistomahawkfromthetable,heexaminedtheheadofitforaninstant,andthenholdingittothelight,withhismouthatthehandle,hepuffedoutgreatcloudsoftobaccosmoke.
Thenextmomentthelightwasextinguished,andthiswildcannibal,tomahawkbetweenhisteeth,sprangintobedwithme.
Isangout,Icouldnothelpitnow;andgivingasuddengruntofastonishmenthebeganfeelingme.
Stammeringoutsomething,Iknewnotwhat,Irolledawayfromhimagainstthewall,andthenconjuredhim,whoeverorwhateverhemightbe,tokeepquiet,andletmegetupandlightthelampagain.
Buthisgutturalresponsessatisfiedmeatoncethathebutillcomprehendedmymeaning.
“Who-edebelyou?”-heatlastsaid-“younospeak-e,dam-me,Ikill-e.”Andsosayingthelightedtomahawkbeganflourishingaboutmeinthedark.
“Landlord,forGod’ssake,PeterCoffin!”shoutedI.“Landlord!Watch!Coffin!Angels!saveme!”
“Speak-e!tell-eemewho-eebe,ordam-me,Ikill-e!”
againgrowledthecannibal,whilehishorridflourishingsofthetomahawkscatteredthehottobaccoashesaboutmetillIthoughtmylinenwouldgetonfire.
Butthankheaven,atthatmomentthelandlordcameintotheroomlightinhand,andleapingfromthebedIranuptohim.
“Don’tbeafraidnow,”saidhe,grinningagain,“Queequegherewouldn’tharmahairofyourhead.”
“Stopyourgrinning,”shoutedI,“andwhydidn’tyoutellmethatthatinfernalharpooneerwasacannibal?”
“Ithoughtyeknow’dit;-didn’tItellye,hewasapeddlin’headsaroundtown?
-butturnflukesagainandgotosleep.
Queequeg,lookhere-yousabbeeme,Isabbee-youthismansleepeyou-yousabbee?”
“Mesabbeeplenty”-gruntedQueequeg,puffingawayathispipeandsittingupinbed.
“Yougetteein,”headded,motioningtomewithhistomahawk,andthrowingtheclothestooneside.
Hereallydidthisinnotonlyacivilbutareallykindandcharitableway.Istoodlookingathimamoment.
Forallhistattooingshewasonthewholeaclean,comelylookingcannibal.
What’sallthisfussIhavebeenmakingabout,thoughtItomyself-theman’sahumanbeingjustasIam:hehasjustasmuchreasontofearme,asIhavetobeafraidofhim.
BettersleepwithasobercannibalthanadrunkenChristian.
“Landlord,”saidI,“tellhimtostashhistomahawkthere,orpipe,orwhateveryoucallit;tellhimtostopsmoking,inshort,andIwillturninwithhim.
ButIdon’tfancyhavingamansmokinginbedwithme.It’sdangerous.Besides,Iain’tinsured.”
ThisbeingtoldtoQueequeg,heatoncecomplied,andagainpolitelymotionedmetogetintobed-rollingovertoonesideasmuchastosay-Iwon’ttouchalegofye.”
“Goodnight,landlord,”saidI,“youmaygo.”
Iturnedin,andneversleptbetterinmylife.
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