Chapters 18-19 Summary

As Ishmael and Queequeg near the boat, Peleg hails them and says cannibals and pagans such as Queequeg are not allowed on the Pequod. Peleg also demands to see Queequeg's papers proving he has been converted to Christianity. Ishmael defends Queequeg by saying Queequeg is a member of the First Congregational Church. Queequeg comes aboard and shows his skill with a harpoon. After Peleg and Bildad see how skillful Queequeg is with the harpoon, they forget about the papers and agree to give him a spot in the crew.

Queequeg, whom Peleg mistakenly calls Quohog and then Hedgehog, is unable to sign his name on the ship's papers. Instead of his name, Queequeg makes a mark on the paper, identical to one of his tattoos. After the papers are signed, Bildad gives Queequeg a religious tract and begs him to consider...