442 
MOBY DICK; OR 
general reference, now transferringly measured on it the exact length 
the coffin was to be, and then made the transfer permanent by cutting 
two notches as its extremities. This done, he marshalled the planks 
and his tools, and to work. 
When the last nail was driven, and the lid duly planed and fitted, 
he lightly shouldered the coffin and went forward with it, enquiring 
whether they were ready for it yet in that direction. 
Overhearing the indignant but half-humorous cries with which the 
people on deck began to drive the coffin away, Queequeg, to every one’s 
consternation, commanded that the thing should be instantly brought 
to him, nor was there any denying him; seeing that, of all mortals, 
some dying men are the most tyrannical ; and certainly, since they will 
shortly trouble us so little for evermore, the poor fellows ought to be 
indulged. 
Leaning over in his hammock, Queequeg long regarded the coffin 
with an attentive eye. He then called for his harpoon, had the wooden 
stock drawn from it, and then had the iron part placed in the coffin 
along with one of the paddles of his boat. All by his own request, 
also, biscuits were then ranged round the sides within : a flask of fresh 
water was placed at the head, and a small bag of woody earth scraped 
up in the hold at the foot; and a piece of sail-cloth being rolled up 
for a pillow, Queequeg now entreated to be lifted into his final bed, 
that he might make trial of its comforts, if any it had. He lay with- 
out moving a few minutes, then told one to go to his bag and bring out 
his little god, Yojo. Then crossing his arms on his breast with Yojo 
between, he called for the coffin lid (hatch he called it) to he placed 
over him. The head part turned over with a leather hinge, and there 
lay Queequeg in his coffin with little but his composed countenance in 
view. “Rarmai” (it will do; it is easy), he murmured, at last, and 
signed to be replaced in his hammock. 
But ere this was done, Pip, who had been slyly hovering near by 
all this while, drew nigh to him where he lay, and with soft sobbings, 
took him by the hand ; in the other, holding his tambourine. 
“Poor rover! will ye never have done with all this weary roving? 
where go ye now ? But if the currents carry ye to those sweet Antilles 
where the beaches are only beat with water-lilies, will ye do one little 
