Captain Ahab’s obsession with the sea beast that haunts his life increases as the Pequod sails around the southern tip of Africa. Crewman Daggoo thinks he sights Moby Dick’s spout, but they find a giant squid instead—a very bad omen. The ship then encounters a mysterious whaling vessel whose crew shriek that Ahab is a blasphemer for hunting the great white whale! All the signs point to doom for the Pequod and those aboard it, but Ahab will press on toward his frightful destiny despite the dire warnings.