During one of his regular walks on the quarter-deck, Ahab fastens his attention on the gold coin that he has nailed to the mainmast, a reward for the crewman who first spots Moby Dick. Several others contemplate the coin as well. As the journey continues, Ahab hails an English ship, the Samuel Enderby, with his usual greeting: “Hast seen the White Whale?” This ship has. In fact, its captain lost an arm in an encounter with Moby Dick.
