THE ORDER CETACEA. 57 



tains of ice : when in this situation, he moves frequently 

 at the rate of eight or ten miles an hour ; therefore, it 

 obliges the harpooner to employ the utmost diligence, in 

 order that the line attached to the harpoon may run 

 out smoothly and without the least entanglement; for, 

 should this unfortunately occur, the whole crew and the 

 boat would be liable to be dragged after him under the 

 waves. The boat that has become thus fast to the whale 

 is commonly followed by a second, for the purpose of 

 not only furnishing assistance, if required, but likewise 

 to supply more line, as the first is generally run out in 

 the course of eight or ten minutes. Should, however, 

 the second boat be at a distance at the time her aid is 

 required, the crew of the first hold up one, two, or three 

 oars, in order to intimate their pressing need of supply j 

 at the same time turning the rope once or twice round a 

 species of post, denominated the bollard or billet-head, 

 at the head of the boat, by means of which the motion 

 of the line and the career of the animal are somewhat 

 retarded ; this, however, becomes a very delicate opera- 

 tion ; for sometimes the head or side of the boat is 

 actually brought to the very edge of the water ; and if 

 the rope is drawn at all too tight, and prompt assistance 

 is not afforded, it will sink it altogether. 



During the time the line is whirling round the 

 bollard, the harpooner is compelled to keep throwing 

 water over it; for the friction is so great, that some- 

 times, notwithstanding this precaution to prevent its 

 catching fire, he frequently becomes enveloped with 

 smoke. If, after all, they are left without assist- 

 ance, they let out the whole line; thereby not only 

 losing their prize, but likewise the harpoon and all the 

 lines. 



The length of time between the period of the first 

 striking the whale and effecting her death, averages from 



