“I will wager something now,” whispered Stubb to Flask, “that someone 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 whaleboat 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.”