Starbuck descends to the door of Ahab's cabin to deliver the news that the wind has slowed and become favorable. As he stands outside the door, he takes a loaded musket from the rack and considers using it to either kill Ahab or seize him as a prisoner. Starbuck believes that Ahab would have used the same weapon to kill him, and given Ahab's disregard for the safety of the crew, he sees the captain as a threat. Ultimately, Starbuck chooses not to act on his violent thoughts and instead sends Stubb to inform Ahab of the shift in wind direction.

The following day, Ahab becomes aware that the vessel is sailing west, although the compass indicates east. Due to the previous storm, the magnetic needles of the compass have been affected, a very disturbing sign for the sailors, who are highly superstitious. Ahab decides to calm their anxieties and demonstrate his authority by creating a new compass.

After the line breaks, Ahab commands for the log and line to be fixed as it provides information about the ship's speed and direction. While the repairs are being made, one of the sailors treats Pip harshly. Ahab intervenes and vows to always keep Pip by his side. Ahab safeguards Pip and allows him to stay in his personal quarters.

As the vessel approaches the fishing grounds near the Equator, a person falls from the mast and dies by drowning. The life-saving device thrown to the person is discovered to be broken. In order to fashion a new one, the carpenter seals Queequeg's coffin. Ahab insists on removing the morbid, makeshift buoy as he does not want to see it, viewing it as an ominous symbol of death and failure.