The Mat-Maker — Moby-Dick

On a cloudy, sultry afternoon the crew lounges on deck. Ishmael and Queequeg quietly weave a sword-mat for their boat.

The ship feels dreamy and still. Ishmael passes the shuttle through the warp threads. Queequeg drives each yarn home with his heavy sword. The dull thud of the blade makes Ishmael think of the Loom of Time.

He imagines the fixed warp threads are necessity. His own hand weaves his destiny into them. Queequeg's careless sword blows stand for chance. Together they suggest necessity, free will, and chance all working at once.

Then a wild cry breaks the spell. Tashtego, high in the cross-trees, shouts that he sees whales. Ishmael says the ball of free will dropped from his hand.

Instantly the deck comes alive. A school of sperm whales is spotted about two miles off on the lee-beam. Ahab calls for the exact time. Dough-Boy reports the minute from the watch below.

The ship turns. Line tubs are fixed. Cranes swing out. Three whaleboats hang over the sea while the crews cling to the rails, ready to drop.

At that critical moment every eye leaves the whales. All stare at Captain Ahab. He stands surrounded by five dark strangers who seem to have appeared out of thin air.