Moby Dick

[Old Thunder]

"What do ye think of him, Bildad?" said Peleg.

 

[Old Thunder]

"He'll do," said Bildad, eyeing me, and then went on spelling away at his book in a mumbling tone quite audible.

 

[Old Thunder]

I thought him the queerest old Quaker I ever saw, especially as Peleg, his friend and old shipmate, seemed such a blusterer.

 

[Old Thunder]

But I said nothing, only looking round me sharply.

 

[Old Thunder]

Peleg now threw open a chest, and drawing forth the ship's articles, placed pen and ink before him, and seated himself at a little table.

 

[Old Thunder]

I began to think it was high time to settle with myself at what terms I would be willing to engage for the voyage.

 

[Old Thunder]

I was already aware that in the whaling business they paid no wages; but all hands, including the captain, received certain shares of the profits called lays, and that these lays were proportioned to the degree of importance pertaining to the respective duties of the ship's company.

 

[Old Thunder]

I was also aware that being a green hand at whaling, my own lay would not be very large; but considering that I was used to the sea, could steer a ship, splice a rope, and all that, I made no doubt that from all I had heard I should be offered at least the 275th lay -- that is, the 275th part of the clear nett proceeds of the voyage, whatever that might eventually amount to.

 

[Old Thunder]

And though the 275th lay was what they call a rather long lay, yet it was better than nothing; and if we had a lucky voyage, might pretty nearly pay for the clothing I would wear out on it, not to speak of my three years' beef and board, for which I would not have to pay one stiver.

 

[Old Thunder]

It might be thought that this was a poor way to accumulate a princely fortune -- and so it was, a very poor way indeed.