« Ain’t going aboard, then? »
« Yes, we are, » said I, « but what business is that of yours? Do you know, Mr. Elijah, that I consider you a little impertinent? »
« No, no, no; I wasn’t aware of that, » said Elijah, slowly and wonderingly looking from me to Queequeg, with the most unaccountable glances.
« Elijah, » said I, « you will oblige my friend and me by withdrawing. We are going to the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and would prefer not to be detained. »
« Ye be, be ye? Coming back afore breakfast? »
« He’s cracked, Queequeg, » said I, « come on. »
« Holloa! » cried stationary Elijah, hailing us when we had removed a few paces.
« Never mind him, » said I, « Queequeg, come on. »
But he stole up to us again, and suddenly clapping his hand on my shoulder, said— »Did ye see anything looking like men going towards that ship a while ago? »
Struck by this plain matter-of-fact question, I answered, saying, « Yes, I thought I did see four or five men; but it was too dim to be sure. »