“Thou wast, wast thou? I see thou art no Nantucketer — ever been in a stove boat?”

“No, Sir, I never have.”

“Dost know nothing at all about whaling, I dare say — eh?

“Nothing, Sir; but I have no doubt I shall soon learn. I’ve been several voyages in the merchant service, and I think that — ”

“Merchant service be damned. Talk not that lingo to me. Dost see that leg? — I’ll take that leg away from thy stern, if ever thou talkest of the marchant service to me again. Marchant service indeed! I suppose now ye feel considerable proud of having served in those marchant ships. But flukes! Man, what makes thee want to go a whaling, eh?