- description
- # II. A Loose-Fish is fair game for anybody who can soonest catch it.
## Overview
This subsection, titled "II. A Loose-Fish is fair game for anybody who can soonest catch it.", is part of Chapter 89 of a larger work. It was extracted from the file `moby_dick.txt` and is contained within the "Melville Complete Works" collection. This subsection follows "I. A Fast-Fish belongs to the party fast to it." and precedes the continuation of Chapter 89.
## Context
This subsection is a component of [Chapter 89. Fast-Fish and Loose-Fish.](arke:01KG8AM9QTPH8BESAGBVSYQN67), which is itself part of the larger [Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW) collection. The text was sourced from the file [moby_dick.txt](arke:01KG89J198KE6FY8WPVJQQRCZ6).
## Contents
This subsection, spanning lines 15391 to 15464 of the source file, is divided into two chunks. It begins by defining a "Loose-Fish" as something that is fair game for anyone who can capture it. The text then delves into the legal and practical distinctions between "Fast-Fish" and "Loose-Fish," drawing parallels to a historical legal case in England. This case involved a dispute over a whale, harpoons, and a boat, and the legal reasoning applied by the judge is discussed, highlighting how the concept of a "Loose-Fish" was central to the decision. The subsection concludes by suggesting that these principles form the foundation of all human jurisprudence.
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- II. A Loose-Fish is fair game for anybody who can soonest catch it.
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- II. A Loose-Fish is fair game for anybody who can soonest catch it.