238 



The Chase 



no longer of use. Paddles were dropped, and oars 

 came loudly into play. And, still puffing at his 

 pipe, Stubb cheered on his crew to the assault. 



Yes ; a mighty change had come over the fish. 

 All alive to his jeopardy, he was going " head out " ; 

 that part obliquely projecting from the mad yeast 

 which he brewed. 



" Start her, start her, my men ! " Don't hurry 

 yourselves ; take plenty of time — but start her ; 

 start her like thunder-clap, that's all," cried Stubb, 

 spluttering out the smoke as he spoke. " Start her 

 now ; give 'em the long and strong stroke, Tash- 

 tego. Start her, Tash, my boy — start her all. ..." 



" Woo-hoo ! Wa-hee ! " screamed the Gay- 

 Header in reply, raising some old war-whoop to 

 the skies ; as every oarsman in the strained boat 

 involuntarily bounced forward with the one tre- 

 mendous leading-stroke which the eager Indian 

 gave. 



But his wild screams were answered by others 

 quite as wild. " Kee-hee ! Kee-hee ! " yelled 

 Daggoo, straining forwards and backwards on his 

 seat, like a pacing tiger in his cage. 



" Ka-la ! Koo-loo ! " howled Queequeg, as if 

 smacking his lips over a mouthful of Grenadier's 

 steak. And thus with oars and yells the keels cut 

 the sea. Meanwhile, Stubb retaining his place in 

 the van, still encouraged his men to the onset, 

 all the while puffing the smoke from his mouth. 

 Like desperadoes they tugged and they strained, 

 till the welcome cry was heard — " Stand up, Tash- 

 tego ! — give it to him ! " The harpoon was 

 hurled. " Stern all ! " The oarsmen backed 

 water ; the same moment something went hot 

 and hissing along every one of their wrists. It 

 was the magical line. An instant before, Stubb 



