The tone of the novel grows even darker, increasingly ominous as the Pequod sails closer and closer to Moby Dick. Ahab feels himself growing too soft with Pip and finds it necessary to distance himself from the loving child. He feels that Pip is "too curing to my malady. Like cures like; and for this hunt, my malady becomes my most desired health." Ahab will allow no serenity or sanity to deter him. A creeping paranoia causes the captain to distrust his crew. Perhaps some on watch have seen the White Whale but failed to call out! Ahab himself takes the lookout at the mainmast, lifted to the post in a basket. A hawk toys with him, one more taunting gesture from nature, and steals his hat, which Ishmael sees as an evil omen.
The meeting with the Delight reminds us of the dangers of the impending encounter. As usual, Ahab calls out, "Hast seen the White Whale?" Indeed, the Delight's captain has, as evidenced by a smashed whaleboat and a funeral even now taking place aboard ship. One seaman is being buried; the White Whale sent four others directly to their ocean graves the previous day. Ahab wants no part in this recognition of defeat. He orders the Pequod to sail on — but not soon enough to avoid hearing the splash of the corpse as it hits the sea.
