For several days after leaving Nantucket nothing above hatches is seen of Captain Ahab; the mates relieve each other at the watches and seem the only commanders, only they sometimes issue from the cabin orders so sudden and peremptory that plainly they but command vicariously, their supreme lord dictator there though unseen in the sacred retreat below.
Every time Ishmael ascends from his watches he gazes aft for a strange face, disquietude touching the unknown captain now in the seclusion of the sea grown almost perturbation, Elijah's diabolical incoherences recurring with subtle energy; yet against all warrantry to cherish such emotions when Starbuck, Stubb, and Flask look like three better sea-officers could not readily be found, Americans each, Nantucketer, Vineyarder, Cape man, while Christmas departure and southward sailing peel merciless winter behind.
On one grey morning of the transition, mounting to the deck at the forenoon watch, Ishmael levels his glance toward the taffrail and foreboding shivers run over him: reality outran apprehension, Captain Ahab stood upon his quarter-deck, bronze Perseus form with livid rod-like mark threading grey hair down tawny scorched face like lightning grooving a living tree, ivory leg steadied in an auger pivot-hole, one arm elevated on a shroud, staring straight beyond the ever-pitching prow with determinate unsurrenderable wilfulness while officers show uneasy consciousness of a troubled master-eye and moody stricken Ahab wears crucifixion in his face, regal overbearing dignity of mighty woe.
Ere long he withdraws to cabin, then daily visible, pivot-hole or ivory stool or heavy pacing, yet on passage not regularly cruising he seems as unnecessary there as another mast while mates handle whaling preparatives; as sky grows genial he becomes less recluse, and more than once puts forth the faint blossom of a look which in any other man would soon flower into a smile: when warm Quito spring keeps him pacing the planks at night, what will it cost Stubb to mention the thunder of that ivory heel?
Coming Up in Chapter 29
Ahab now lives on deck through bright Quito spring weather, his ivory heel thundering six inches from sleeping mates. One night Stubb jokes about muffling the heel and learns what it costs to cross the captain's mood when Ahab orders him below like a dog to kennel.
