Chapter 61-63 Summary

Ishmael records the first successful whale hunt. The hunt happens on a lazy day when most of the crew is napping or dozing instead of paying rapt attention to their tasks. Almost all at once, the crew becomes aware of a whale near their ship and lowers their boats after him. They come as close as possible without making the whale aware of their presence, then start full fledged pursuit once the whale becomes aware of them. Stubb's boat is closest to the whale, so it is Tashtego who throws the harpoon. Darts are then thrown at the whale until the boat is able to come along side it. Once they are along side, Stubb sticks a long lance into the whale, which he turns around until the whale dies of a burst heart.

For those inexperienced with whaling, Ishmael describes...