Ch.4: Mr. Melville

"You've had quite an experience, Ishmael," said Saint Bob as he planed a timber to refit part of the damaged try-works that encase the rendering pots. "I think you should write down your tale and let the folks of the world learn just what it costs to keep light in their parlors!"

"Well, I could write it down, but I have no name to speak of, except for the Biblical reference, of course, so who would publish it or buy it? In fact," he said, as he assisted in the smoothing process, "my name might actually work to turn people from listening."

"You might have a point there, but you could have someone else take up his pen and put your story to paper who already is sympathetic to those of us who ply our trades on the sea."

"Who would that be?" said Ishmael with interest in his eyes.

"There is a New England gentleman, Mr. Herman Melville, who is popular as an author and has published two books already in his career. He's written two accurate stories, Typee and Omoo, about the very trade we practice. They appear to be novels, but I have the feeling that Melville actually encountered the events in his younger days. I have a copy of each in my locker that I got before shipping out this last voyage, if you care to read them."

"I think that might be a pleasant way to wile away some of the hours we have. Oh, is this the way you want the timber shaped? What makes you think he was a whaler?"

"Quite right, keep at it...Have you ever noticed when a story is told by someone who actually experienced the events it's much more 'real' than one that is made up?"

"Yes, of course...we both know how sailors can embellish a story into a whale of a tale!" With this they both chuckled at the inside joke.

"My point is, Ishmael, that you could write down your adventure with the Pequod, approach Melville with the story, and perhaps he would consent to touch it up a bit and lend his name to it so it could get before the public. And if it turns out people think it's just another novel, what's the harm? The story would still be told! Frankly, I know many folks who think the stories...like that of Jonah, for instance...in the Old Book are just that, fictions that are pleasantries or moral tales but not really true. Now, let's see if this timber is close to the fit before we cut out the old..."

As they hefted the plank, Ishmael gave a sideways glance to Saint Bob and said, "So you think that really happened?"

"There certainly would be room inside, as you well know. Why couldn't God simply stop the 'big fish' from harming Jonah the way He did with Daniel and the lions...assuming that was true and not merely fiction? There certainly are plenty of miracles throughout the Book to make one consider it, if you'll pardon the pun, gospel."

"That reasoning assumes any of them are true..."

"Aye, it does, but do you have any proof they're not?"

"Can't say as I do, but we seem to be at loggerheads on this subject..."

"Agreed...for now...give my suggestion a thought. Now, bring the mallet, chisel, and that particular saw and we'll see what can be done about shaping up this part of the try-works."