351 
THE WHITE WHALE 
bear the appearance, however ineffectual, of being guarded from the 
all-grasping western world. The shores of the Straits of Sunda are 
unsupplied with those domineering fortresses which guard the en- 
trances to the Mediterranean, the Baltic, and the Propontis. Un- 
like the Danes, these Orientals do not demand the obsequious homage 
of lowered topsails from the endless procession of ships before the wind, 
which for centuries past, by night and by day, have passed between 
the islands of Sumatra and Java, freighted with the costliest cargoes 
of the East. But while they freely waive a ceremonial like this, 
they do by no means renounce their claim to more solid tribute. 
Time out of mind the piratical proas of the Malays, lurking among 
the low shaded coves and islets of Sumatra, have sallied out upon the 
vessels sailing through the straits, fiercely demanding tribute at the 
point of their spears. Though by the repeated bloody chastisements 
they have received at the hands of European cruisers, the audacity of 
these corsairs has of late been somewhat repressed; yet, even at the 
present day, we occasionally hear of English and American vessels, 
which, in those waters, have been remorselessly boarded and pillaged. 
With a fair, fresh wind, the Pequod was now drawing nigh to these 
straits; Ahab purposing to pass through them into the Javan sea; 
and thence, cruising northwards, over waters known to be frequented 
here and there by the Sperm Whale, sweep inshore by the Philippine 
Islands, and gain the far coast of Japan, in time for the great whal- 
ing season there. By these means, the circumnavigating Pequod 
would sweep almost all the known Sperm Whale cruising-grounds of the 
world, previous to descending upon the Line in the Pacific; where 
Ahab, though everywhere else foiled in his pursuit, firmly counted 
upon giving battle to Moby Dick, in the sea he was most known 
to frequent; and at a season when he might most reasonably be pre- 
sumed to be haunting it. 
But how now? in this zoned quest, does Ahab touch no land? does 
his crew drink air? Surely, he will stop for water. Hay. For a 
long time, now, the circus-running sun has raced within his fiery ring, 
and needs no sustenance but what’s in himself. So Ahab. Mark this, 
too, in the whaler. While other hulls are loaded down with alien stuff, 
to be transferred to foreign wharves; the world-wandering whale ship 
carries no cargo but herself and crew, their weapons and their wants. 
