Moby Dick

[Old Thunder]

But when that smoking chowder came in, the mystery was delightfully explained.

 

[Old Thunder]

Oh, sweet friends! hearken to me.

 

[Old Thunder]

It was made of small juicy clams, scarcely bigger than hazel nuts, mixed with pounded ship biscuit, and salted pork cut up into little flakes; the whole enriched with butter, and plentifully seasoned with pepper and salt.

 

[Old Thunder]

Our appetites being sharpened by the frosty voyage, and in particular, Queequeg seeing his favorite fishing food before him, and the chowder being surpassingly excellent, we despatched it with great expedition: when leaning back a moment and bethinking me of Mrs. Hussey's clam and cod announcement, I though I would try a little experiment.

 

[Old Thunder]

Stepping to the kitchen door, I uttered the word "cod" with great emphasis, and resumed my seat.

 

[Old Thunder]

In a few moments the savoury steam came forth again, but with a different flavor, and in good time a fine cod-chowder was placed before us.

 

[Old Thunder]

We resumed business; and while plying our spoons in the bowl, thinks I to myself, I wonder now if this here has any effect on the head?

 

[Old Thunder]

What's that stultifying saying about chowder-headed people?

 

[Old Thunder]

"But look, Queequeg, ain't that a live eel in your bowl? Where's your harpoon?"

 

[Old Thunder]

Fishiest of all fishy places was the Try Pots, which well deserved its name; for the pots there were always boiling chowders.