Maximum-assistance view: every word above everyday vocabulary is explained at every appearance; each name is introduced at its first appearance in the chapter.

CHAPTER 3. The Spouter-Inn (the New Bedford inn where Ishmael takes a bed).

Entering that gable-ended (with a pointed end wall) Spouter-Inn, you found yourself in a wide, low, straggling (to trail behind in disorder) entry with old-fashioned (of the old fashion) wainscots (wooden boards lining the lower part of a wall), reminding (to bring back to mind) one of the bulwarks (a defending wall) of some condemned (to judge guilty) old craft (a skilled trade; cunning). On one side hung a very large oilpainting (a picture made with colours mixed in oil) so thoroughly (through and through) besmoked (to make black with smoke), and every way defaced (defaced: spoiled the surface of), that in the unequal (not equal) crosslights (light coming from the side) by which you viewed it, it was only by diligent (steadily hard-working) study and a series of systematic (by fixed method) visits to it, and careful inquiry (an asking; an investigation) of the neighbors (one who lives near), that you could any way arrive (to come to a place) at an understanding of its purpose. Such unaccountable (impossible to explain) masses of shades (shadowed cool; a degree of color) and shadows (a dark cast shape; to dimly show forth), that at first you almost thought some ambitious (hungry for greatness) young artist, in the time of the New England hags (an ugly old woman; a witch), had endeavored (an earnest attempt) to delineate (to describe in detail) chaos (utter confusion) bewitched (to charm as by magic). But by dint (a small dent) of much and earnest (deeply serious) contemplation (quiet steady gazing; deep thought), and oft (often) repeated (to say or do again) ponderings (thinking over slowly), and especially by throwing open the little window towards the back of the entry, you at last come to the conclusion (an end; a decision) that such an idea, however wild, might not be altogether (entirely) unwarranted (unjustified).

But what most puzzled (a baffling question) and confounded (to confuse utterly) you was a long, limber (the wheeled front of a gun carriage), portentous (like an omen; warning of something big), black mass of something hovering (to hang in the air) in the centre of the picture over three blue, dim (faint; not bright), perpendicular (straight up and down) lines floating (to rest on water or air) in a nameless (without a name) yeast (the stuff that makes bread rise). A boggy (soft and wet underfoot), soggy (wet and soft), squitchy (soft and wet underfoot) picture truly, enough to drive a nervous (easily shaken) man distracted (to pull the mind away). Yet was there a sort of indefinite (without fixed limits), half-attained (only partly reached), unimaginable (too strange to picture in the mind) sublimity (lofty grandeur) about it that fairly froze (was frozen) you to it, till you involuntarily (without willing it) took an oath (a sworn promise; a curse) with yourself to find out what that marvellous (wonderful) painting meant. Ever and anon (soon — an old word) a bright, but, alas (a cry of sorrow), deceptive (misleading) idea would dart (to move quickly; shoot) you through.—It’s the Black Sea in a midnight (twelve at night) gale (a strong wind).—It’s the unnatural (against nature) combat of the four primal (first; of the beginning) elements.—It’s a blasted (withered and ruined) heath (open sandy scrubland).—It’s a Hyperborean (of the far north) winter scene.—It’s the breaking-up (coming apart) of the icebound (shut in by ice) stream of Time. But at last all these fancies (the imagination) yielded (to give way; to give forth) to that one portentous (like an omen; warning of something big) something in the picture’s midst (the middle). That once found out, and all the rest were plain (simple; clear). But stop; does it not bear a faint (weak and dim; to fall senseless) resemblance (likeness) to a gigantic (huge) fish? even the great leviathan (the great sea beast of the Bible, taken to mean the whale) himself?

In fact, the artist’s design seemed this: a final theory of my own, partly (in part) based upon the aggregated (gathered into one) opinions of many aged persons with whom I conversed (to talk together) upon the subject. The picture represents a Cape-Horner (a ship or man that has rounded Cape Horn) in a great hurricane (a violent storm wind); the half-foundered (partly sunk) ship weltering (to roll and toss about) there with its three dismantled (to take apart) masts (a ship's tall pole) alone visible (able to be seen); and an exasperated (worn out with anger) whale (the great sea animal), purposing to spring clean over the craft (a skilled trade; cunning), is in the enormous (vastly big) act of impaling (to drive a sharp point through) himself upon the three mast-heads (the tops of a ship's tall poles).

The opposite wall of this entry was hung all over with a heathenish (not Christian; wild) array (an ordered display) of monstrous (huge and out of all natural shape) clubs and spears (a long pointed weapon). Some were thickly (densely) set with glittering (to sparkle) teeth resembling (to be like) ivory (the elephant's white tusk) saws; others were tufted (tufted: in tufts) with knots (a tied fastening; a tight cluster) of human hair; and one was sickle-shaped (curved like a sickle), with a vast (very great; huge) handle sweeping (to brush clean; to move widely) round like the segment (a part cut off from the whole) made in the new-mown (freshly cut) grass (the green ground plant) by a long-armed (having long arms) mower (one who cuts hay). You shuddered (a shiver of horror) as you gazed (to look long and steadily), and wondered what monstrous (huge and out of all natural shape) cannibal (one who eats human flesh) and savage (wild; fierce) could ever have gone a death-harvesting (gathering in the dead) with such a hacking (chopping roughly), horrifying (to fill with horror) implement (implements: tools). Mixed with these were rusty (covered with rust) old whaling (the hunting of whales) lances (the horseman's long spear) and harpoons (a spear on a rope, thrown to catch a whale) all broken and deformed (deformed: twisted out of true shape). Some were storied weapons. With this once long lance (the horseman's long spear), now wildly (in a wild way) elbowed (the arm's joint), fifty (fifty) years ago did Nathan (a prophet of the Bible; also a man's name) Swain kill fifteen (fifteen) whales (the great sea animal) between a sunrise (the sun's coming up) and a sunset (the going down of the sun). And that harpoon (a spear on a rope, thrown to catch a whale)—so like a corkscrew (a tool for pulling stoppers out of bottles) now—was flung (to throw with force) in Javan (of Java, a large island of southeast Asia) seas, and run away with by a whale (the great sea animal), years afterwards (later) slain (to kill) off the Cape of Blanco (a Spanish word meaning white). The original iron entered nigh (near — old form) the tail (the rear end of an animal), and, like a restless (unable to rest) needle (the sewing spike) sojourning (a short stay) in the body of a man, travelled full forty feet, and at last was found imbedded (imbedded: fixed deep inside) in the hump (humped: having a rounded rise on the back).

Crossing this dusky (dark; dark-skinned) entry, and on through yon (yonder; that over there) low-arched (with a low curved roof) way—cut through what in old times must have been a great central chimney (the smoke shaft of a house) with fireplaces (the open place for a fire in a room) all round—you enter the public room. A still duskier (dark; dark-skinned) place is this, with such low ponderous (heavy and slow) beams (a great timber; a ray of light; to smile brightly) above, and such old wrinkled (a crease line in the skin) planks (a long flat board) beneath (under), that you would almost fancy (the imagination) you trod (worn down by treading) some old craft (a skilled trade; cunning)’s cockpits (a sunken space at the back of a small ship), especially of such a howling (to cry long like a wolf) night, when this corner-anchored (held fast at the corners) old ark (in the Bible, either the great boat Noah built or the sacred chest) rocked so furiously (with raging fury). On one side stood a long, low, shelf-like (like a flat board fixed to a wall) table covered with cracked (a sharp break or noise) glass cases, filled with dusty (covered with dust) rarities (rareness) gathered (to bring together) from this wide world’s remotest (farthest away) nooks (a small sheltered corner). Projecting from the further angle (a corner's measure) of the room stands a dark-looking (dark in look) den (a beast's lair)—the bar—a rude (ill-mannered) attempt at a right whale (the slow thick whale with long strainers in its mouth)’s head. Be that how it may, there stands the vast (very great; huge) arched (curved over the top) bone (the body's hard frame) of the whale (the great sea animal)’s jaw (the mouth's bone), so wide, a coach might almost drive beneath (under) it. Within are shabby (worn and poor-looking) shelves (a flat holding board), ranged round with old decanters (a glass bottle for wine), bottles, flasks (a flat bottle; also the name of the third mate); and in those jaws (the mouth's bone) of swift (fast) destruction (destroying ruin), like another cursed (an evil calling-down; to swear) Jonah (by which name indeed they called him), bustles (hurried stir and fuss) a little withered (to dry up and die) old man, who, for their money, dearly (at great cost; with deep love) sells the sailors (one who works at sea) deliriums (wild fever dreams) and death.

Abominable (hateful; disgusting) are the tumblers (a flat-bottomed drinking glass) into which he pours (to flow in a stream) his poison (a killing substance). Though true cylinders (the tube an engine's piston moves in) without—within, the villanous (wicked) green goggling (staring with wide eyes) glasses deceitfully (in a lying way) tapered (a slender candle) downwards (toward below) to a cheating (to deceive for gain) bottom. Parallel (running side by side) meridians (noon; the high point) rudely (with rudeness) pecked (to strike with the beak) into the glass, surround (to close in on every side) these footpads (a robber who works on foot)’ goblets (a drinking cup with a stem). Fill to this mark, and your charge is but a penny (a small coin); to this a penny (a small coin) more; and so on to the full glass—the Cape Horn (the stormy southern tip of South America) measure, which you may gulp (one big swallow) down for a shilling (an old British coin; twenty made a pound).

Upon entering the place I found a number of young seamen (a sailor) gathered (to bring together) about a table, examining (to inspect closely) by a dim (faint; not bright) light divers (one who dives) specimens (an example of a kind) of skrimshander (carved work made on whale bone or teeth). I sought the landlord (the owner of let land), and telling him I desired to be accommodated (to make room for) with a room, received for answer that his house was full—not a bed unoccupied (not occupied). “But avast (stop),” he added, tapping (a light knock) his forehead (the brow), “you haint (is not) no objections (a reason against) to sharing a harpooneer (the man who throws the whale spear)’s blanket, have ye? I s’pose (a held position; to put a question) you are goin (going — slang)’ a-whalin (out hunting whales)’, so you’d better get used (use: habit; custom — the old sense here) to that sort of thing.”

I told him that I never liked to sleep two in a bed; that if I should ever do so, it would depend (to rest upon) upon who the harpooneer (the man who throws the whale spear) might be, and that if he (the landlord (the owner of let land)) really had no other place for me, and the harpooneer (the man who throws the whale spear) was not decidedly (without doubt) objectionable (open to objection), why rather than wander (to roam without aim) further about a strange town on so bitter (sharp and harsh to taste or heart) a night, I would put up with the half of any decent (proper and modest) man’s blanket.

“I thought so. All right; take a seat. Supper (the evening meal)?—you want supper (the evening meal)? Supper (the evening meal)’ll be ready directly.”

I sat down on an old wooden (made of wood) settle (to fix in place; to bring to rest), carved (to cut into shape) all over like a bench (a long hard seat) on the Battery (a park at the southern tip of Manhattan, facing the sea). At one end a ruminating (to chew over in thought) tar (the black sticky pitch that seals a ship; a sailor) was still further adorning (to decorate) it with his jack-knife (a folding pocket knife), stooping (to bend down) over and diligently (with steady care) working away at the space between his legs. He was trying his hand at a ship under full sail (to travel by ship), but he didn (did not)’t make much headway (forward progress), I thought.

At last some four or five of us were summoned (to call to come) to our meal (a sitting of food) in an adjoining (lying next to) room. It was cold as Iceland—no fire at all—the landlord (the owner of let land) said he couldn (could — couldn't: could not)’t afford it. Nothing but two dismal (gloomy and cheerless) tallow (candle fat) candles (a wax light), each in a winding sheet (a broad thin layer). We were fain (fain: gladly — the old sense here) to button up our monkey (the climbing man-like animal) jackets (a short coat), and hold to our lips (the mouth's edge) cups of scalding (scalded: burned with hot liquid or steam) tea with our half frozen (turned to ice) fingers. But the fare (the price of a journey; food) was of the most substantial (solid and large) kind—not only meat and potatoes (the earth-grown food root), but dumplings (a small ball of boiled dough); good heavens! dumplings (a small ball of boiled dough) for supper (the evening meal)! One young fellow in a green box coat (an animal's fur; a garment), addressed himself to these dumplings (a small ball of boiled dough) in a most direful (dreadful) manner.

“My boy,” said the landlord (the owner of let land), “you’ll have the nightmare (a dream of terror) to a dead sartainty (certainty, said in dialect).”

“Landlord (the owner of let land),” I whispered (a soft hushed voice), “that aint (is not) the harpooneer (the man who throws the whale spear) is it?”

“Oh, no,” said he, looking a sort of diabolically (like a devil) funny, “the harpooneer (the man who throws the whale spear) is a dark complexioned (the color of the face) chap (a fellow). He never eats dumplings (a small ball of boiled dough), he don’t—he eats nothing but steaks (a thick slice of meat), and he likes ’em rare.”

“The devil (the evil spirit) he does,” says I. “Where is that harpooneer (the man who throws the whale spear)? Is he here?”

“He’ll be here afore (before — dialect) long,” was the answer.

I could not help it, but I began to feel suspicious (full of distrust) of this “dark complexioned (the color of the face)” harpooneer (the man who throws the whale spear). At any rate, I made up my mind that if it so turned out that we should sleep together, he must undress (to take off clothes) and get into bed before I did.

Supper (the evening meal) over, the company went back to the bar-room (a room where drink is sold), when, knowing not what else to do with myself, I resolved (to decide firmly) to spend the rest of the evening as a looker (one who looks) on.

Presently (soon; now) a rioting (wild disorder) noise was heard without. Starting up, the landlord (the owner of let land) cried, “That’s the Grampus (a kind of small whale; also the name of a ship)’s crew. I seed (the plant's grain of life) her reported in the offing (the distant sea) this morning; a three years’ voyage (a journey), and a full ship. Hurrah (a cheer), boys; now we’ll have the latest news from the Feegees (the Fiji islands).”

A tramping (stamping heavily) of sea boots (a high shoe) was heard in the entry; the door was flung (to throw with force) open, and in rolled a wild set of mariners (a sailor) enough. Enveloped (to wrap all around) in their shaggy (covered with rough hair) watch coats (an animal's fur; a garment), and with their heads muffled (softened; wrapped so as to quiet) in woollen (of wool) comforters (a warm neck scarf), all bedarned (bedarned: mended with stitches) and ragged (a torn scrap of cloth), and their beards (the chin's hair) stiff (not bending) with icicles (a hanging spike of ice), they seemed an eruption (a bursting out) of bears from Labrador (a cold northern coast of Canada). They had just landed from their boat, and this was the first house they entered. No wonder, then, that they made a straight wake for the whale (the great sea animal)’s mouth—the bar—when the wrinkled (a crease line in the skin) little old Jonah, there officiating (acting in a set office at a rite), soon poured (to flow in a stream) them out brimmers (a cup filled to the top) all round. One complained (to voice discontent) of a bad cold in his head, upon which Jonah mixed him a pitch-like (like thick black tar) potion (a drink with magical or medical power) of gin (the strong clear drink) and molasses (molasses: a thick dark sweet syrup), which he swore was a sovereign (a supreme ruler; also an English gold coin) cure (to heal) for all colds and catarrhs (heavy colds in the nose and throat) whatsoever (of any kind at all), never mind of how long standing, or whether caught off the coast of Labrador, or on the weather side of an ice-island (a floating mountain of ice).

The liquor (a liquid; strong drink) soon mounted (to climb on; a riding horse) into their heads, as it generally does even with the arrantest (thorough; downright) topers (one who drinks strong drink often) newly (recently) landed from sea, and they began capering (to leap about playfully) about most obstreperously (with loud and unruly noise).

I observed (to watch; to remark), however, that one of them held somewhat aloof (apart; at a distance), and though he seemed desirous (wishing) not to spoil (to ruin; plundered goods) the hilarity (loud laughing fun) of his shipmates (a fellow sailor) by his own sober (not drunk; grave) face, yet upon the whole he refrained (to hold back from) from making as much noise as the rest. This man interested (interest: the spectacle that draws a crowd — the old sense here) me at once; and since the sea-gods (gods of the sea in old tales) had ordained (to decree; to make a priest) that he should soon become my shipmate (a fellow sailor) (though but a sleeping-partner (one who shares a bed) one, so far as this narrative (a told story) is concerned), I will here venture (a risky undertaking) upon a little description of him. He stood full six feet in height, with noble (high and honourable) shoulders, and a chest like a coffer-dam (a water tight case built to keep water out). I have seldom (rarely) seen such brawn (pressed meat; muscle) in a man. His face was deeply (to a great depth) brown and burnt, making his white teeth dazzling (blinded by brightness) by the contrast (a set difference between things); while in the deep shadows (a dark cast shape; to dimly show forth) of his eyes floated (to rest on water or air) some reminiscences (a remembered story of the past) that did not seem to give him much joy. His voice at once announced that he was a Southerner (a man from the southern states of America), and from his fine stature (bodily height), I thought he must be one of those tall mountaineers (mountaineers: people of the mountains) from the Alleghanian (of the Allegheny mountains in the eastern United States) Ridge (a long raised line along the top) in Virginia. When the revelry (noisy merrymaking) of his companions (one who keeps company) had mounted (to climb on; a riding horse) to its height, this man slipped (to slide out of place) away unobserved (without being seen), and I saw no more of him till he became my comrade (a close fellow soldier) on the sea. In a few minutes, however, he was missed by his shipmates (a fellow sailor), and being, it seems, for some reason a huge favourite with them, they raised a cry of “Bulkington (a tall silent sailor Ishmael meets at the inn)! Bulkington! where’s Bulkington?” and darted (to move quickly; shoot) out of the house in pursuit (a chasing after) of him.

It was now about nine o’clock (the time-keeping machine), and the room seeming almost supernaturally (beyond nature's course) quiet after these orgies (a wild drunken revel), I began to congratulate (to wish joy on a success) myself upon a little plan that had occurred to me just previous to the entrance (the way in) of the seamen (a sailor).

No man prefers to sleep two in a bed. In fact, you would a good deal rather not sleep with your own brother. I don’t know how it is, but people like to be private when they are sleeping. And when it comes to sleeping with an unknown stranger (one unknown), in a strange inn (a house where travellers may eat and sleep), in a strange town, and that stranger (one unknown) a harpooneer (the man who throws the whale spear), then your objections (a reason against) indefinitely (without fixed end) multiply (to increase manyfold). Nor was there any earthly (of this earth) reason why I as a sailor (one who works at sea) should sleep two in a bed, more than anybody else; for sailors (one who works at sea) no more sleep two in a bed at sea, than bachelor (an unmarried man; also the name of a ship) Kings do ashore (on land). To be sure they all sleep together in one apartment, but you have your own hammock (a hanging bed of netting), and cover yourself with your own blanket, and sleep in your own skin.

The more I pondered (to think deeply) over this harpooneer (the man who throws the whale spear), the more I abominated (to hate) the thought of sleeping with him. It was fair to presume (to take for granted) that being a harpooneer (the man who throws the whale spear), his linen (cloth of flax; underclothing) or woollen (of wool), as the case might be, would not be of the tidiest (neatest), certainly none of the finest. I began to twitch (a small jerking movement) all over. Besides, it was getting late, and my decent (proper and modest) harpooneer (the man who throws the whale spear) ought (should) to be home and going bedwards (toward bed). Suppose now, he should tumble (to fall rolling) in upon me at midnight (twelve at night)—how could I tell from what vile (foul and low) hole he had been coming?

“Landlord (the owner of let land)! I’ve changed my mind about that harpooneer (the man who throws the whale spear).—I shan (shall — shan't: shall not)’t sleep with him. I’ll try the bench (a long hard seat) here.”

“Just as you please; I’m sorry I can’t spare (to hold back from harming; extra) ye a tablecloth (the cloth spread on a table) for a mattress (the padded bed one lies on), and it’s a plaguy (bothersome) rough (not smooth; rude) board here”—feeling of the knots (a tied fastening; a tight cluster) and notches (a nick cut in an edge). “But wait a bit, Skrimshander (carved work made on whale bone or teeth); I’ve got a carpenter (a man who works in wood; aboard ship, the man who mends her timbers)’s plane there in the bar—wait, I say, and I’ll make ye snug (warm and comfortable) enough.” So saying he procured (to obtain) the plane; and with his old silk (the fine soft thread of the East) handkerchief (a cloth for the nose or eyes) first dusting (fine dry earth) the bench (a long hard seat), vigorously (with strong energy) set to planing away at my bed, the while grinning (a wide showing of the teeth) like an ape (to copy foolishly). The shavings (cutting off hair with a blade) flew right and left; till at last the plane-iron (the blade in a tool for smoothing wood) came bump (a knock; a swelling) against an indestructible (impossible to destroy) knot (a tied fastening; a tight cluster). The landlord (the owner of let land) was near spraining (a wrenched joint) his wrist (the hand's joint), and I told him for heaven’s sake (for the good of) to quit—the bed was soft enough to suit me, and I did not know how all the planing in the world could make eider (a sea duck with very soft feathers) down of a pine (the needled evergreen; to waste with longing) plank (a long flat board). So gathering (to bring together) up the shavings (cutting off hair with a blade) with another grin (a wide showing of the teeth), and throwing them into the great stove (the heating fireplace of a room) in the middle of the room, he went about his business, and left me in a brown study.

I now took the measure of the bench (a long hard seat), and found that it was a foot too short; but that could be mended (to repair) with a chair. But it was a foot too narrow (of little width), and the other bench (a long hard seat) in the room was about four inches (a small measure of length) higher than the planed one—so there was no yoking (a harness; subjection) them. I then placed the first bench (a long hard seat) lengthwise (along the long way) along the only clear space against the wall, leaving a little interval (a space between) between, for my back to settle (to fix in place; to bring to rest) down in. But I soon found that there came such a draught (at one draught: in one swallow) of cold air over me from under the sill (silly; foolish) of the window, that this plan would never do at all, especially as another current from the rickety (shaky and about to fall) door met the one from the window, and both together formed a series of small whirlwinds (whirlwinds: violent whirling winds) in the immediate vicinity (the neighborhood) of the spot where I had thought to spend the night.

The devil (the evil spirit) fetch (to go and bring) that harpooneer (the man who throws the whale spear), thought I, but stop, couldn (could — couldn't: could not)’t I steal (to take by theft) a march on him—bolt (a bar for a door; to dash off) his door inside, and jump into his bed, not to be wakened (to wake) by the most violent (of raging force) knockings (striking blows)? It seemed no bad idea; but upon second thoughts I dismissed (to send away) it. For who could tell but what the next morning, so soon as I popped out of the room, the harpooneer (the man who throws the whale spear) might be standing in the entry, all ready to knock (to strike with the knuckles) me down!

Still, looking round me again, and seeing no possible chance of spending a sufferable (able to be borne) night unless in some other person’s bed, I began to think that after all I might be cherishing (to hold dear) unwarrantable (not to be justified) prejudices (judgment made beforehand) against this unknown harpooneer (the man who throws the whale spear). Thinks I, I’ll wait awhile (for a little time); he must be dropping in before long. I’ll have a good look at him then, and perhaps we may become jolly (merry) good bedfellows (bed-fellow: one who shares a bed) after all—there’s no telling.

But though the other boarders (one who lodges and eats in another's house) kept coming in by ones, twos, and threes, and going to bed, yet no sign of my harpooneer (the man who throws the whale spear).

“Landlord (the owner of let land)!” said I, “what sort of a chap (a fellow) is he—does he always keep such late hours?” It was now hard upon twelve (twelve) o’clock (the time-keeping machine).

The landlord (the owner of let land) chuckled (a quiet laugh) again with his lean (to tilt; rest against) chuckle (a quiet laugh), and seemed to be mightily (greatly) tickled (to touch so as to make laugh) at something beyond my comprehension (understanding). “No,” he answered, “generally he’s an early bird—airley (early, said in dialect) to bed and airley (early, said in dialect) to rise—yes, he’s the bird what catches the worm (the crawling earth creature). But to-night he went out a peddling (small and petty), you see, and I don’t see what on airth (earth, said in dialect) keeps him so late, unless, may be, he can’t sell his head.”

“Can’t sell his head?—What sort of a bamboozingly (in a way meant to fool) story is this you are telling me?” getting into a towering rage (violent anger). “Do you pretend (to make believe) to say, landlord (the owner of let land), that this harpooneer (the man who throws the whale spear) is actually engaged this blessed (favored by God) Saturday night, or rather Sunday morning, in peddling (small and petty) his head around this town?”

“That’s precisely (exactly) it,” said the landlord (the owner of let land), “and I told him he couldn (could — couldn't: could not)’t sell it here, the market’s overstocked (to fill with more than is needed).”

“With what?” shouted (a loud cry) I.

“With heads to be sure; ain (is not; are not)’t there too many heads in the world?”

“I tell you what it is, landlord (the owner of let land),” said I quite calmly (with calm), “you’d better stop spinning (to whirl; to twist thread) that yarn (a long story told to pass the time) to me—I’m not green.”

“May be not,” taking out a stick and whittling (whittling: shaving wood with a knife) a toothpick (the small stick for cleaning teeth), “but I rayther (Yorkshire for rather) guess you’ll be done brown if that ere (before — an old word) harpooneer (the man who throws the whale spear) hears you a slanderin (speaking evil of)’ his head.”

“I’ll break it for him,” said I, now flying into a passion (a strong feeling; also the suffering and death of Christ) again at this unaccountable (impossible to explain) farrago (a confused mixture) of the landlord (the owner of let land)’s.

“It’s broke a’ready,” said he.

“Broke,” said I—“broke, do you mean?”

“Sartain, and that’s the very reason he can’t sell it, I guess.”

“Landlord (the owner of let land),” said I, going up to him as cool as Mt. Hecla (a burning mountain in Iceland) in a snow-storm (a storm of snow)—“landlord (the owner of let land), stop whittling (whittling: shaving wood with a knife). You and I must understand one another, and that too without delay (to put off). I come to your house and want a bed; you tell me you can only give me half a one; that the other half belongs (to be one's own; to be part of) to a certain harpooneer (the man who throws the whale spear). And about this harpooneer (the man who throws the whale spear), whom I have not yet seen, you persist (to keep on stubbornly) in telling me the most mystifying (making hard to understand) and exasperating (maddening) stories tending to beget (begotten: born of) in me an uncomfortable (without comfort) feeling towards the man whom you design for my bedfellow (bed-fellow: one who shares a bed)—a sort of connexion (connection), landlord (the owner of let land), which is an intimate (closely familiar) and confidential (told in trust) one in the highest degree. I now demand of you to speak out and tell me who and what this harpooneer (the man who throws the whale spear) is, and whether I shall be in all respects safe to spend the night with him. And in the first place, you will be so good as to unsay (to take back what was said) that story about selling his head, which if true I take to be good evidence that this harpooneer (the man who throws the whale spear) is stark (utterly bare) mad, and I’ve no idea of sleeping with a madman (a man out of his right mind); and you, sir, you I mean, landlord (the owner of let land), you, sir, by trying to induce (to lead into; bring about) me to do so knowingly (with full understanding of what one does), would thereby (by that means) render (to give; to make) yourself liable (answerable; likely) to a criminal prosecution (the pursuing of a study or aim).”

“Wall,” said the landlord (the owner of let land), fetching (to go and bring) a long breath, “that’s a purty (pretty, said in dialect) long sarmon (sermon, said in dialect) for a chap (a fellow) that rips (to tear; ripped: pulled hard) a little now and then. But be easy, be easy, this here harpooneer (the man who throws the whale spear) I have been tellin (telling)’ you of has just arrived (to come to a place) from the south seas (the Pacific ocean), where he bought up a lot of ’balmed (balmed: soothed as with sweet oil) New Zealand (a country of two islands in the south Pacific) heads (great curios (a small rare object kept for its interest), you know), and he’s sold all on ’em but one, and that one he’s trying to sell to-night, cause to-morrow’s Sunday, and it would not do to be sellin (selling)’ human heads about the streets when folks is goin (going — slang)’ to churches. He wanted to, last Sunday, but I stopped him just as he was goin (going — slang)’ out of the door with four heads strung (a thin cord) on a string (a thin cord), for all the airth (earth, said in dialect) like a string (a thin cord) of inions (the bump at the back of the skull).”

This account cleared up the otherwise unaccountable (impossible to explain) mystery (a hidden truth), and showed that the landlord (the owner of let land), after all, had had no idea of fooling (one without sense) me—but at the same time what could I think of a harpooneer (the man who throws the whale spear) who stayed out of a Saturday night clean into the holy Sabbath, engaged in such a cannibal (one who eats human flesh) business as selling the heads of dead idolators (a person who prays to an image)?

“Depend (to rest upon) upon it, landlord (the owner of let land), that harpooneer (the man who throws the whale spear) is a dangerous man.”

“He pays reg (regular)’lar (a household god of the old Romans),” was the rejoinder (a sharp answer back). “But come, it’s getting dreadful (filling with dread) late, you had better be turning flukes (a lucky chance)—it’s a nice bed; Sal (a woman's name, used for a sailor's wife) and me slept in that ere (before — an old word) bed the night we were spliced (to join two ropes by weaving the ends). There’s plenty of room for two to kick about in that bed; it’s an almighty (having all power) big bed that. Why, afore (before — dialect) we give it up, Sal used (use: habit; custom — the old sense here) to put our Sam and little Johnny in the foot of it. But I got a dreaming (having dreams) and sprawling (spread out loosely) about one night, and somehow, Sam got pitched (to throw; the height of a note; tar) on the floor, and came near breaking his arm. Arter (after, said in dialect) that, Sal said it wouldn (would — wouldn't: would not)’t do. Come along here, I’ll give ye a glim (a light or lantern) in a jiffy (a moment);” and so saying he lighted a candle (a wax light) and held it towards me, offering to lead the way. But I stood irresolute (unable to decide); when looking at a clock (the time-keeping machine) in the corner, he exclaimed (to cry out) “I vum (to swear, said in dialect) it’s Sunday—you won’t see that harpooneer (the man who throws the whale spear) to-night; he’s come to anchor (the iron that holds a ship in place) somewhere—come along then; do come; won’t ye come?”

I considered the matter a moment, and then up stairs (a step of a flight) we went, and I was ushered (to lead in) into a small room, cold as a clam (a shellfish with two flat shells), and furnished (to supply; provide), sure enough, with a prodigious (enormous) bed, almost big enough indeed for any four harpooneers (the man who throws the whale spear) to sleep abreast (side by side).

“There,” said the landlord (the owner of let land), placing the candle (a wax light) on a crazy old sea chest that did double duty as a wash-stand (a stand holding a basin) and centre table; “there, make yourself comfortable now, and good night to ye.” I turned round from eyeing the bed, but he had disappeared (to vanish).

Folding back the counterpane (a bed cover), I stooped (to bend down) over the bed. Though none of the most elegant (gracefully fine), it yet stood the scrutiny (close examination) tolerably (fairly; reasonably) well. I then glanced (a quick look) round the room; and besides the bedstead (the frame of a bed) and centre table, could see no other furniture (the fittings of a house) belonging (to be one's own; to be part of) to the place, but a rude (ill-mannered) shelf (a flat holding board), the four walls, and a papered fireboard (a board set before a fireplace) representing a man striking a whale (the great sea animal). Of things not properly belonging (to be one's own; to be part of) to the room, there was a hammock (a hanging bed of netting) lashed (a whip stroke; an eyelash) up, and thrown upon the floor in one corner; also a large seaman (a sailor)’s bag, containing the harpooneer (the man who throws the whale spear)’s wardrobe (one's stock of clothes), no doubt in lieu (in lieu of: instead of) of a land trunk (a great chest; a tree's stem). Likewise (in the same way), there was a parcel (a wrapped package) of outlandish (strange and foreign) bone (the body's hard frame) fish hooks (a bent catch of metal) on the shelf (a flat holding board) over the fire-place (the open place for a fire in a room), and a tall harpoon (a spear on a rope, thrown to catch a whale) standing at the head of the bed.

But what is this on the chest? I took it up, and held it close to the light, and felt it, and smelt (to sense through the nose) it, and tried every way possible to arrive (to come to a place) at some satisfactory (good enough) conclusion (an end; a decision) concerning it. I can compare (to set beside for likeness) it to nothing but a large door mat (a floor piece), ornamented (a decoration) at the edges with little tinkling (to ring lightly) tags (a hanging label) something like the stained (a soiling mark) porcupine (the spiny animal) quills (a feather pen) round an Indian moccasin (moccasins: soft hide shoes). There was a hole or slit (to cut a long narrow gash) in the middle of this mat (a floor piece), as you see the same in South American ponchos (cloaks made of one piece with a hole for the head). But could it be possible that any sober (not drunk; grave) harpooneer (the man who throws the whale spear) would get into a door mat (a floor piece), and parade (a formal muster of troops) the streets of any Christian town in that sort of guise (an outward dress; pretense)? I put it on, to try it, and it weighed (to measure heaviness) me down like a hamper (to hinder), being uncommonly (unusually) shaggy (covered with rough hair) and thick (of great depth through; dense), and I thought a little damp (slightly wet), as though this mysterious (hidden and unexplained) harpooneer (the man who throws the whale spear) had been wearing it of a rainy (full of rain) day. I went up in it to a bit of glass stuck against the wall, and I never saw such a sight in my life. I tore (a drop of weeping; to rip) myself out of it in such a hurry (to move with haste) that I gave myself a kink (a twist) in the neck.

I sat down on the side of the bed, and commenced (to begin) thinking about this head-peddling (going about selling heads) harpooneer (the man who throws the whale spear), and his door mat (a floor piece). After thinking some time on the bed-side (the side of a bed), I got up and took off my monkey (the climbing man-like animal) jacket (a short coat), and then stood in the middle of the room thinking. I then took off my coat (an animal's fur; a garment), and thought a little more in my shirt sleeves (the arm of a garment). But beginning to feel very cold now, half undressed (with clothes off) as I was, and remembering what the landlord (the owner of let land) said about the harpooneer (the man who throws the whale spear)’s not coming home at all that night, it being so very late, I made no more ado (fuss), but jumped out of my pantaloons (loose trousers) and boots (a high shoe), and then blowing out the light tumbled (to fall rolling) into bed, and commended (to praise; entrust) myself to the care of heaven.

Whether that mattress (the padded bed one lies on) was stuffed with corn-cobs (the hard middle parts of ears of maize) or broken crockery (dishes and cups), there is no telling, but I rolled about a good deal, and could not sleep for a long time. At last I slid (to move smoothly along) off into a light doze (nineteen to the dozen: without stopping), and had pretty nearly made a good offing (the distant sea) towards the land of Nod, when I heard a heavy footfall (the sound of a step) in the passage (passage: a sea-journey — the old sense here), and saw a glimmer (to shine faintly) of light come into the room from under the door.

Lord save me, thinks I, that must be the harpooneer (the man who throws the whale spear), the infernal (hellish; devilish) head-peddler (a man who goes about selling heads). But I lay perfectly still, and resolved (to decide firmly) not to say a word till spoken to. Holding a light in one hand, and that identical (exactly the same) New Zealand head in the other, the stranger (one unknown) entered the room, and without looking towards the bed, placed his candle (a wax light) a good way off from me on the floor in one corner, and then began working away at the knotted (a tied fastening; a tight cluster) cords (a thin rope) of the large bag I before spoke of as being in the room. I was all eagerness (keen desire) to see his face, but he kept it averted (to turn away; ward off) for some time while employed (to use) in unlacing (to undo the cords of) the bag’s mouth. This accomplished (polished in skills), however, he turned round—when, good heavens! what a sight! Such a face! It was of a dark, purplish (somewhat purple), yellow colour (what the eye sees as red, blue, and the rest), here and there stuck over with large blackish (somewhat black) looking squares. Yes, it’s just as I thought, he’s a terrible bedfellow (bed-fellow: one who shares a bed); he’s been in a fight, got dreadfully (terribly) cut, and here he is, just from the surgeon (a doctor who cuts to heal). But at that moment he chanced to turn his face so towards the light, that I plainly (clearly; simply) saw they could not be sticking-plasters (strips that stick over cuts) at all, those black squares on his cheeks (the side of the face). They were stains (a soiling mark) of some sort or other. At first I knew not what to make of this; but soon an inkling (a faint idea) of the truth occurred to me. I remembered a story of a white man—a whaleman (a man who hunts whales) too—who, falling among the cannibals (one who eats human flesh), had been tattooed (marked with patterns pricked into the skin) by them. I concluded (to end; to decide) that this harpooneer (the man who throws the whale spear), in the course of his distant (far away) voyages (a journey), must have met with a similar adventure (a daring undertaking). And what is it, thought I, after all! It’s only his outside; a man can be honest in any sort of skin. But then, what to make of his unearthly (not of this earth) complexion (the color of the face), that part of it, I mean, lying round about, and completely independent of the squares of tattooing (marks pricked into the skin with ink). To be sure, it might be nothing but a good coat (an animal's fur; a garment) of tropical (of the hot lands near the equator) tanning (turning animal skin into leather); but I never heard of a hot sun’s tanning (turning animal skin into leather) a white man into a purplish (somewhat purple) yellow one. However, I had never been in the South Seas; and perhaps the sun there produced these extraordinary (beyond the ordinary) effects upon the skin. Now, while all these ideas were passing through me like lightning (the flash of light in a storm), this harpooneer (the man who throws the whale spear) never noticed me at all. But, after some difficulty (hardness; trouble) having opened his bag, he commenced (to begin) fumbling (to handle clumsily) in it, and presently (soon; now) pulled out a sort of tomahawk (a light axe of the American peoples), and a seal-skin (the skin of a sea beast used for clothing) wallet (a carrying pouch) with the hair on. Placing these on the old chest in the middle of the room, he then took the New Zealand head—a ghastly (horrible; deathly pale) thing enough—and crammed (to stuff full) it down into the bag. He now took off his hat—a new beaver (the dam-building water animal; its fur) hat—when I came nigh (near — old form) singing out with fresh surprise. There was no hair on his head—none to speak of at least—nothing but a small scalp-knot (the lock of hair on the top of the head) twisted (to wind together) up on his forehead (the brow). His bald (without hair) purplish (somewhat purple) head now looked for all the world like a mildewed (the mould that grows on damp things) skull (the head's bone). Had not the stranger (one unknown) stood between me and the door, I would have bolted (a bar for a door; to dash off) out of it quicker than ever I bolted (a bar for a door; to dash off) a dinner.

Even as it was, I thought something of slipping (to slide out of place) out of the window, but it was the second floor back. I am no coward (one without courage), but what to make of this head-peddling (going about selling heads) purple (the deep red-blue color) rascal (a dishonest rogue) altogether (entirely) passed my comprehension (understanding). Ignorance (want of knowledge) is the parent of fear, and being completely nonplussed (to leave at a loss what to say) and confounded (to confuse utterly) about the stranger (one unknown), I confess (to admit) I was now as much afraid of him as if it was the devil (the evil spirit) himself who had thus broken into my room at the dead of night. In fact, I was so afraid of him that I was not game enough just then to address him, and demand a satisfactory (good enough) answer concerning what seemed inexplicable (impossible to explain) in him.

Meanwhile (in the time between), he continued the business of undressing (taking off clothes), and at last showed his chest and arms. As I live, these covered parts of him were checkered (a piece in a board game moved square to square) with the same squares as his face; his back, too, was all over the same dark squares; he seemed to have been in a Thirty Years’ War, and just escaped from it with a sticking-plaster (a strip that sticks over a cut) shirt. Still more, his very legs were marked, as if a parcel (a wrapped package) of dark green frogs (the leaping pond creature) were running up the trunks (a great chest; a tree's stem) of young palms (the hand's flat; the southern tree). It was now quite plain (simple; clear) that he must be some abominable (hateful; disgusting) savage (wild; fierce) or other shipped aboard (on board a ship) of a whaleman (a man who hunts whales) in the South Seas, and so landed in this Christian country. I quaked (to shake with fear) to think of it. A peddler (a traveling seller of small wares) of heads too—perhaps the heads of his own brothers. He might take a fancy (the imagination) to mine—heavens! look at that tomahawk (a light axe of the American peoples)!

But there was no time for shuddering (a shiver of horror), for now the savage (wild; fierce) went about something that completely fascinated (to charm and hold) my attention, and convinced (to bring to belief) me that he must indeed be a heathen (godless ones; unbelievers). Going to his heavy grego (a short thick hooded coat), or wrapall (a garment that wraps right round), or dreadnaught (a thick coat that keeps out cold and wet), which he had previously hung on a chair, he fumbled (to handle clumsily) in the pockets (the sewn-in pouch), and produced at length a curious (eager to know; strange) little deformed (deformed: twisted out of true shape) image with a hunch (humped) on its back, and exactly the colour (what the eye sees as red, blue, and the rest) of a three days’ old Congo (a great river and region of Africa) baby. Remembering the embalmed (treated so the dead body will keep) head, at first I almost thought that this black manikin (a very small man) was a real baby preserved (to keep safe) in some similar manner. But seeing that it was not at all limber (the wheeled front of a gun carriage), and that it glistened (to shine wetly) a good deal like polished (rubbed smooth and bright) ebony (a very hard black wood), I concluded (to end; to decide) that it must be nothing but a wooden (made of wood) idol (a worshiped image), which indeed it proved to be. For now the savage (wild; fierce) goes up to the empty fire-place (the open place for a fire in a room), and removing the papered fire-board (a board set before a fireplace), sets up this little hunch-backed (with a rounded back) image, like a tenpin (a shaped piece of wood knocked down in a game), between the andirons (an iron bar that holds logs in a fire). The chimney (the smoke shaft of a house) jambs (the upright sides of a doorway) and all the bricks (baked building clay) inside were very sooty (black with soot), so that I thought this fire-place (the open place for a fire in a room) made a very appropriate little shrine (a holy place) or chapel (a small place of worship) for his Congo idol (a worshiped image).

I now screwed (the twisted fastening pin) my eyes hard towards the half hidden image, feeling but ill at ease (comfort; freedom from effort) meantime (the time between)—to see what was next to follow. First he takes about a double handful (as much as a hand holds) of shavings (cutting off hair with a blade) out of his grego (a short thick hooded coat) pocket (the sewn-in pouch), and places them carefully (with care) before the idol (a worshiped image); then laying a bit of ship biscuit (hard dry bread) on top and applying the flame (fire's blaze) from the lamp (a light vessel), he kindled (to set alight) the shavings (cutting off hair with a blade) into a sacrificial (offered up to a god) blaze (a bright strong fire). Presently (soon; now), after many hasty (hurried) snatches (to grab quickly) into the fire, and still hastier (hurried) withdrawals (a drawing back) of his fingers (whereby (by which) he seemed to be scorching (burned at the surface) them badly (in a bad way)), he at last succeeded (to follow; to prosper) in drawing out the biscuit (hard dry bread); then blowing off the heat and ashes (what fire leaves behind) a little, he made a polite (well-mannered) offer of it to the little negro (a dated word for a black person). But the little devil (the evil spirit) did not seem to fancy (the imagination) such dry sort of fare (the price of a journey; food) at all; he never moved his lips (the mouth's edge). All these strange antics (antics: strange capers) were accompanied (to go along with) by still stranger (one unknown) guttural (from deep in the throat) noises from the devotee (an ardent follower), who seemed to be praying (to speak to God) in a sing-song (in a rising and falling chant) or else singing some pagan (one who worships gods other than the God of the Bible) psalmody (psalm-singing) or other, during which his face twitched (a small jerking movement) about in the most unnatural (against nature) manner. At last extinguishing (put out) the fire, he took the idol (a worshiped image) up very unceremoniously (without ceremony), and bagged it again in his grego (a short thick hooded coat) pocket (the sewn-in pouch) as carelessly (without care) as if he were a sportsman (a lover of hunting and sport) bagging a dead woodcock (a game bird).

All these queer (strange) proceedings (going on; a step taken) increased my uncomfortableness (the state of being ill at ease), and seeing him now exhibiting (to show) strong symptoms (a sign of disease) of concluding (to end; to decide) his business operations, and jumping into bed with me, I thought it was high time, now or never, before the light was put out, to break the spell (magic power; a charm) in which I had so long been bound (to tie fast).

But the interval (a space between) I spent in deliberating (carefully weighed; to weigh) what to say, was a fatal (bringing death) one. Taking up his tomahawk (a light axe of the American peoples) from the table, he examined (to inspect closely) the head of it for an instant (a moment), and then holding it to the light, with his mouth at the handle, he puffed (a short blow of air or smoke) out great clouds (a white or grey mass in the sky) of tobacco (the smoking leaf) smoke. The next moment the light was extinguished (put out), and this wild cannibal (one who eats human flesh), tomahawk (a light axe of the American peoples) between his teeth, sprang into bed with me. I sang out, I could not help it now; and giving a sudden (without warning) grunt (a village on the Austrian campaign road) of astonishment (great surprise) he began feeling me.

Stammering (to speak with halting breaks) out something, I knew not what, I rolled away from him against the wall, and then conjured (to beg solemnly) him, whoever (any person who) or whatever he might be, to keep quiet, and let me get up and light the lamp (a light vessel) again. But his guttural (from deep in the throat) responses satisfied (to content; to meet a need) me at once that he but ill comprehended (to understand) my meaning.

“Who-e (who, said in broken English) debel (devil, said in dialect) you?”—he at last said—“you no speak-e (speak, said in broken English), dam-me (damn me, an oath), I kill-e (kill, said in broken English).” And so saying the lighted tomahawk (a light axe of the American peoples) began flourishing (to thrive; to wave grandly) about me in the dark.

“Landlord (the owner of let land), for God’s sake (for the good of), Peter Coffin (the landlord of the Spouter Inn at New Bedford)!” shouted (a loud cry) I. “Landlord (the owner of let land)! Watch! Coffin (the box a dead body is laid in; also a common family name on Nantucket)! Angels (a heavenly messenger)! save me!”

“Speak-e (speak, said in broken English)! tell-ee (tell, said in broken English) me who-ee be, or dam-me (damn me, an oath), I kill-e (kill, said in broken English)!” again growled (a low angry rumble) the cannibal (one who eats human flesh), while his horrid (horrible) flourishings (thriving) of the tomahawk (a light axe of the American peoples) scattered (to throw about; break apart) the hot tobacco (the smoking leaf) ashes (what fire leaves behind) about me till I thought my linen (cloth of flax; underclothing) would get on fire. But thank heaven, at that moment the landlord (the owner of let land) came into the room light in hand, and leaping (to jump) from the bed I ran up to him.

“Don’t be afraid now,” said he, grinning (a wide showing of the teeth) again, “Queequeg (the tattooed harpooneer from a Pacific island, Ishmael's friend) here wouldn (would — wouldn't: would not)’t harm (hurt; damage) a hair of your head.”

“Stop your grinning (a wide showing of the teeth),” shouted (a loud cry) I, “and why didn (did not)’t you tell me that that infernal (hellish; devilish) harpooneer (the man who throws the whale spear) was a cannibal (one who eats human flesh)?”

“I thought ye know’d it;—didn (did not)’t I tell ye, he was a peddlin (peddling)’ heads around town?—but turn flukes (a lucky chance) again and go to sleep. Queequeg, look here—you sabbee (understand, said in broken English) me, I sabbee (understand, said in broken English)—you this man sleepe (sleeper: one who sleeps) you—you sabbee (understand, said in broken English)?”

“Me sabbee (understand, said in broken English) plenty”—grunted (made a short low sound) Queequeg, puffing (a short blow of air or smoke) away at his pipe (a smoking tube; a music tube) and sitting up in bed.

“You gettee (get, said in broken English) in,” he added, motioning to me with his tomahawk (a light axe of the American peoples), and throwing the clothes to one side. He really did this in not only a civil but a really kind and charitable (generous to the poor) way. I stood looking at him a moment. For all his tattooings (marks pricked into the skin with ink) he was on the whole a clean, comely (pleasing to look at) looking cannibal (one who eats human flesh). What’s all this fuss (needless anxious bustle) I have been making about, thought I to myself—the man’s a human being just as I am: he has just as much reason to fear me, as I have to be afraid of him. Better sleep with a sober (not drunk; grave) cannibal (one who eats human flesh) than a drunken (given to drink) Christian.

“Landlord (the owner of let land),” said I, “tell him to stash (to put away in a safe place) his tomahawk (a light axe of the American peoples) there, or pipe (a smoking tube; a music tube), or whatever you call it; tell him to stop smoking, in short, and I will turn in with him. But I don’t fancy (the imagination) having a man smoking in bed with me. It’s dangerous. Besides, I ain (is not; are not)’t insured (insured: guarded by insurance).”

This being told to Queequeg, he at once complied (to do as asked), and again politely (with good manners) motioned me to get into bed—rolling over to one side as much as to say—“I won’t touch a leg of ye.”

“Good night, landlord (the owner of let land),” said I, “you may go.”

I turned in, and never slept better in my life.