confidential business with him. that business consisted in fetching the commodore’s craft such a thwack, that with all his pumps going he made straight for the nearest port to heave down and repair. i am not superstitious, but i consider the commodore’s interview with that whale as providential. was not saul of tarsus converted from unbelief by a similar fright? i tell you, the sperm whale will stand no nonsense.