By this time Stubb was over the side, and getting into his boat, hailed the Guernsey-man to this effect, — that having a long tow-line in his boat, he would do what he could to help them, by pulling out the lighter whale of the two from the ship’s side.

While the Frenchman’s boats, then, were engaged in towing the ship one way, Stubb benevolently towed away at his whale the other way, ostentatiously slacking out a most unusually long tow-line.

Presently a breeze sprang up; Stubb feigned to cast off from the whale; hoisting his boats, the Frenchman soon increased his distance, while the Pequod slid in between him and Stubb’s whale. Whereupon Stubb quickly pulled to the floating body, and hailing the Pequod to give notice of his intentions, at once proceeded to reap