“By salt and hemp!” cried Stubb, “but this swift motion of the deck creeps up one’s legs and tingles at the heart. This ship and I are two brave fellows!⁠—Ha, ha! Someone take me up, and launch me, spine-wise, on the sea⁠—for by live-oaks! my spine’s a keel. Ha, ha! we go the gait that leaves no dust behind!”

“There she blows⁠—she blows!⁠—she blows!⁠—right ahead!” was now the masthead cry.

“Aye, aye!” cried Stubb, “I knew it⁠—ye can’t escape⁠—blow on and split your spout, O whale! the mad fiend himself is after ye! blow your trump⁠—blister your lungs!⁠—Ahab will dam off your blood, as a miller shuts his water-gate upon the stream!”