Ishmael take Queequeg to the Peqoud, where the harpooner overcomes anti-pagan prejudice by demonstrating his skill with the harpoon.

Ishmael returns to the inn to find Queequeg in a silent religous reverie occasioned by fasting. He tries to talk to Queequeg about worshiping with moderation, which Queequeg finds cute, but ridiculous.

Queequeg’s idol Yojo decides that Ishmael should choose their whaling ship. Skeptical, but respectful, our narrator sets out to do just that.

He signs onto a ship called the Pequod, after being thoroughly hustled by two of the ship’s owners, Peleg and Bildad.

Ishmael and Queequeg seek out the TryPots, an inn recommended by Peter Coffin, who ran the Spouter Inn where they stayed in New Bedford. Ishmael is wary of the Inn’s entrance, which is outfitted with an old topmast and so resembles a gallows. But the food is delicious, if a bit fishy.

Queequeg and Ishmael make there way towards a ship bound for Nantucket, receiving strange glances from the people of New Bedford, who are not used to seeing a Christian and a “Savage” walking together as friends.

On board the ship to Nantucket, Queequeg roughs up a young sailor whom he catches making fun of him. The ship’s Captain threatens Queequeg’s life. But after they hit rough waters and the same young sailor is tossed overboard, Queequeg earns the respect of everyone on board for diving in to save the smartass.

Queequeg tells Ishmael how he, a cannibal Prince from the South Pacific, came to his present position as harpooner aboard Christian vessels.