“ What whale?”

“The White Whale⁠—a Sperm Whale⁠—Moby Dick, have ye seen him?”

“Never heard of such a whale. Cachalot Blanche ! White Whale⁠—no.”

“Very good, then; goodbye now, and I’ll call again in a minute.”

Then rapidly pulling back towards the Pequod , and seeing Ahab leaning over the quarterdeck rail awaiting his report, he moulded his two hands into a trumpet and shouted⁠—“No, Sir! No!” Upon which Ahab retired, and Stubb returned to the Frenchman.