Arrived then at this spot, with one hand still to his nose, he bawled—“ Bouton-de-Rose , ahoy! are there any of you Bouton-de-Roses that speak English?”
“Yes,” rejoined a Guernsey-man from the bulwarks, who turned out to be the chief-mate.
“Well, then, my Bouton-de-Rose -bud, have you seen the White Whale?”
“ 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.
He now perceived that the Guernsey-man, who had just got into the chains, and was using a cutting-spade, had slung his nose in a sort of bag.
“What’s the matter with your nose, there?” said Stubb. “Broke it?”
“I wish it was broken, or that I didn’t have any nose at all!” answered the Guernsey-man, who did not seem to relish the job he was at very much. “But what are you holding yours for?”
“Oh, nothing! It’s a wax nose; I have to hold it on. Fine day, ain’t it? Air rather gardenny, I should say; throw us a bunch of posies, will ye, Bouton-de-Rose ?”
“What in the devil’s name do you want here?” roared the Guernseyman, flying into a sudden passion.