Moby Dick

[Old Thunder]

But perhaps the mere crossing of Siberia in a sledge drawn by dogs as Ledyard did, or the taking a long solitary walk on an empty stomach, in the negro heart of Africa, which was the sum of poor Mungo's performances -- this kind of travel, I say, may not be the very best mode of attaining a high social polish.

 

[Old Thunder]

Still, for the most part, that sort of thing is to be had anywhere.

 

[Old Thunder]

These reflections just here are occasioned by the circumstance that after we were all seated at the table, and I was preparing to hear some good stories about whaling; to my no small surprise, nearly every man maintained a profound silence.

 

[Old Thunder]

And not only that, but they looked embarrassed.

 

[Old Thunder]

Yes, here were a set of sea-dogs, many of whom without the slightest bashfulness had boarded great whales on the high seas -- entire strangers to them -- and duelled them dead without winking; and yet, here they sat at a social breakfast-table -- all of the same calling, all of kindred tastes -- looking round as sheepishly at each other as though they had never been out of sight of some sheepfold among the Green Mountains. A curious sight; these bashful bears, these timed warrior whalemen!

 

[Old Thunder]

But as for Queequeg -- why, Queequeg sat there among them -- at the head of the table, too, it so chanced; as cool as an icicle.

 

[Old Thunder]

To be sure I cannot say much for his breeding.

 

[Old Thunder]

His greatest admirer could not have cordially justified his bringing his harpoon in to breakfast with him, and using it there without ceremony; reaching over the table with it to the imminent jeopardy of many heads, and grappling the beefsteaks towards him.

 

[Old Thunder]

But that was certainly very coolly done by him, and every one knows that in most people's estimation, to do anything coolly is to do it genteelly.

 

[Old Thunder]

We will not speak of all Queequeg's peculiarities here; how he eschewed coffee and hot rolls, and applied his undivided attention to beefsteaks, done rare.