Queequeg and I became fast friends. We took a boat to Nantucket Island together. There we would sign on to some whale ship. Queequeg told me that his little god, Yojo, had told him to sign on to whatever ship I chose. I chose a boat called the Pequod because it seemed to be romantic. Both Queequeg and I signed on. We met the two owners of the ship, captain Peleg and Captain Bildad. As I was about to leave the ship I asked the two owners about the captain.
“What do you care about Captain Ahab? Isn’t it enough that you signed on?” responded Captain Peleg.
“Yes, but I would like to see him,” I insisted.
“But I don’t think you will be able to see him at present”, replied Captain Peleg. “I don’t know exactly what’s the matter with him; but he stays inside his house. He looks a little sick, but he’s not sick. Anyway, young man, he won’t see me so he won’t see you. He’s a queer man, Captain Ahab – so some think – but a good one. He’s a grand man. He has seen wonders. He has been with civilized men and he has been with the cannibals. He’s not Captain Bildad and isn’t Captain Peleg; he’s Ahab! You know, Aahab, the king of the Bible.”
