The Pequod sailed on through calmer waters, toward the island of Java. One morning, while on look-out, the harpooner Daggoo spotted a large, white form in the water. “There!” he called out, “There again! There she breaches! Right ahead! The White Whale, the White Whale!” Quickly, captain Ahab gave the order for the four harpoon boats to lower in pursuit of the monster.
However, as they approached the creature, they noticed that it was not the white whale, but rather a giant squid! Because these creatures were so rarely seen, some of the sailors, including Starbuck, were quite afraid. Captain Ahab gave the order to return to the ship. Then Ishmael pondered the mysterious giant squid, about whom so little was known. He supposed that perhaps the giant squid was the inspiration for fearsome sea monsters of mythology like the Kraken.
