Chapters 109-110 Summary

One day while working on board the ship, the crew suspects some of the casks of oil in the hold of the ship are leaking. Starbuck goes to warn Ahab of this problem and is met with the captain's unconcerned attitude. Once again wrapped up in his single-minded quest of Moby Dick, Ahab expresses no concern for the leaking oil. Starbuck suggests the owners of the ship will be unhappy if the oil is lost. Ahab is irritated with Starbuck's insistence and raises a gun as if to shoot him. Starbuck leaves the cabin as instructed, but warns the captain he should be afraid of himself. After much thought, Ahab reconsiders his decision, goes to the deck of the ship and commands the casks of oil be searched to find the leak.

During the time Queequeg is helping the rest of...