239 
THE WHITE WHALE 
heaving down the ship to stop the leak. But to such unresting vigi- 
lance over their dangerous allies was this small hand of whites necessi- 
tated, both by night and by day, and so extreme was the hard work 
they underwent, that upon the vessel being ready again for sea, they 
were in such a weakened condition that the Captain durst not put off 
with them in so heavy a vessel. After taking council with his officers, 
he anchored the ship as far off shore as possible; loaded and ran out 
his two cannons from the hows ; stacked his muskets on the poop ; and 
warning the islanders not to approach the ship at their peril, took 
one man with him, and setting the sail of his best whale boat, steered 
straight before the wind for Tahiti, five hundred miles distant, to 
procure a reinforcement to his crew. 
“On the fourth day of the sail, a large canoe was descried, which 
seemed to have touched at a low isle of corals. He steered away 
from it; but the savage craft bore down on him; and soon the voice 
of Steelkilt hailed him to heave-to, or he would run him under water. 
The Captain presented a pistol. With one foot on each prow of 
the yoked war-canoes, the Lakeman laughed him to scorn; assuring 
him that if the pistol so much as clicked in the lock, he would bury 
him in bubbles and foam. 
“ ‘What do you want of me V cried the Captain. 
“ ‘Where are you bound ? and for what are you bound V demanded 
Steelkilt; ‘no lies.” 
“ ‘I am bound to Tahiti for more men.’ 
“ ‘Very good. Let me board you a moment — I come in peace.’ 
With that he leaped from the canoe, swam to the boat; and climbing 
the gunwale, stood face to face with the Captain. 
“ ‘Cross your arms, sir throw back your head. How, repeat after 
me. As soon as Steelkilt leaves me, I swear to beach this boat on 
yonder island, and remain there six days. If I do not, may light- 
nings strike me !’ 
“ ‘A pretty scholar,’ laughed the Lakeman. ‘Adios, Senor !’ and 
leaping into the sea, he swam back to his comrades. 
“Watching the boat until it was fairly beached, and drawn up to 
the roots of the cocoanut trees, Steelkilt made sail again, and in due 
time arrived at Tahiti, his own place of destination. There, luck 
