"Ahab seized a loaded musket from the rack (forming part of most South-Sea-men’s cabin furniture), and pointing it towards Starbuck, exclaimed: “There is one God that is Lord over the earth, and one Captain that is lord over the Pequod.- On deck!”
Musing: Brilliant writing! Starbuck has just challenged the authority of Ahab. For the first time in all my readings of Moby Dick I see how brave that challenge was of Starbuck. Starbuck only backs down because of the gun. Ahab gets the gun because he has no other way to respond to Starbuck's threat. And the religious analogy must have really taken Starbuck (and readers) by surprise! Things are getting good!