Ishmael defines “gam” and comments on the Pequod’s first two gams of this voyage. The initial opportunity for communication with another ship is aborted when the captain of the Albatross drops his speaking trumpet in strong winds. The second ship, the Town-Ho, oddly features a crew that consists, primarily, of Polynesians. There is a long story behind this, and Ishmael delights in telling all the details.
