This is Moby Dick Chapter 14: Nantucket (summary)
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At last, they have safely arrived at Nantucket. The island is a lovely place. The people would tell you that they grow weeds1the psychoactive dried resinous flower buds and leaves of the female hemp or cannabis plant (Cannabis sativa or C. indica) that contain high levels of THC and are smoked, vaped, or ingested (as in baked goods) especially for their intoxicating effect there, and that they don’t grow it naturally. Furthermore, they import Canada thistles, and the Nantucketers export woods. Curiously, they plant toadstools before they build their own houses. All of these just show that Nantucket is not Illinois.
Then, Ishmael brought up an old legend. Once upon a time, an eagle carried an infant from New England’s coast. Immediately, the parents spotted this bird’s direction of flight. And in a jiffy, they’ve decided to follow that same direction. After a dangerous journey, they have finally found the island of the bird. And on the island, unfortunately, they found nothing but their baby’s remains.
Eventually, these people lived there by catching fish and seafood. After some time, they had become skillful on fishing and other seafood-catching. Until finally, they’ve set out many ships to explore the waters. Their fleet grew even more. It was not long when they wanted to fight with the most monstrous and largest animal of the sea—the whale.
Afterwards, they’ve conquered the seas including the Atlantic, Pacific, and the Indian oceans. These Nantucketers owned two-third of the earth, like an Emperor in his empire. However, these people haven’t been able to know the land, for they were on the bodies of waters for years.
End of Moby Dick Chapter 14: Nantucket (summary)