home cargoes that had enriched his owners, put money in his own pocket,
and secured him a reputation he esteemed of more value than a fortune.
In truth, he regarded whales just as a terrier does rats, and found his
highest enjoyment in killing them. And yet nothing pleased him better
than when a whale showed pluck, as he called it, and made a square,
fierce fight for his life. A man had a chance then to show his skill and
power over the brute, he said. He held, too, that man's highest object
in life was to know how to kill a whale skilfully; and he heartily
despised the whale "as would submit quietly to the harpoon, and die like
a lubber." He also affected great contempt for the landsman who had
lived like a gentleman, and never killed a whale in his life.

"There's no lunar to-night," said Captain Bottom, pausing at the
quarter-deck rail, and addressing himself to the officer of the watch.
"There's a goin' to be dirt, sir, there is; and them royals and
topgallant-sails is got to cum in. Would'nt surprise me if we had to
double-reef topsails afore mornin'. Tell you what it is, Mr. Higgins,
there's that ar north star with a towel over her face again. Sink me if
there'll be any lunar took to-night." The captain shook his head, gave
his Panama a tip, and walking aft, stood beside the binnacle watching
the compasses for several minutes. Then returning to where the officer
of the watch stood, he resumed:

"Never made a bad landfall in my life, Mr. Higgins. Never shall be said
of Captain Price Bottom that he lost his reckonin'. It's judgment; yes,
Mr. Higgins, it's good judgment and sound sense what makes a good
sailor. A man may cram his skull till it hurts with Bowditch, but if he
hain't sense he'll never be a sailor. Same in killin' whales. If a man
hain't got sense, the whale is sure to get the advantage of him." Again
he paused, as if courting a reply; but Mr. Higgins merely bowed assent