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MOBY DICK; OR 
befriended him; two ships were about to sail for France, and were 
providentially in want of precisely that number of men which the sailor 
headed. They embarked ; and so for ever got the start of their former 
captain, had he been at all minded to work them legal retribution. 
“Some ten days after the French ships sailed, the whale boat arrived, 
and the Captain was forced to enlist some of the more civilized Tahi- 
tians, who had been somewhat used to the sea. Chartering a small na- 
tive schooner, he returned with them to his vessel; and finding all 
right there, again resumed his cruisings. 
“Where Steelkilt now is, gentlemen, none know ; but upon the island 
of Nantucket, the widow of Radney still turns to the sea which re- 
fuses to give up its dead; still in dreams sees the awful white whale 
that destroyed him. . . . 
“ ‘Are you through ?’ said Don Sebastian quietly. 
“I am, Don. 
“ ‘Then I entreat you, tell me if to the best of your own convictions, 
this your story is in substance really true ? It is so passing wonderful ! 
Did you get it from an unquestionable source? Bear with me if I 
seem to press.’ 
“ ‘Also bear with all of us, sir sailor; for we all join in Don Sebas- 
tian’s suit,’ cried the company, with exceeding interest. 
“Is there a copy of the Holy Evangelists in the Golden Inn, gentle- 
men ? 
“ ‘Nay,’ said Don Sebastian; ‘but I know a worthy priest near by, 
who will quickly procure one for me. I go for it; but are you well 
advised ? this may grow too serious.’ 
“Will you be so good as to bring the priest also, Don ? 
“ ‘Though there are no Auto-da-Fes in Lima now,’ said one of the 
company to another; ‘I fear our sailor friend runs risk of the arch- 
iepiscopacy. Let us withdraw more out of the moonlight. I see no 
need of this.’ 
“ ‘This is the priest, he brings you the Evangelists,’ said Don Sebas- 
tian gravely, returning with a tall and solemn figure. 
“Let me remove my hat. Now, venerable priest, further into 
