208 WHALE-FISHERY. 



whenever a boat passed beyond its tail, it invaria- 

 bly dived. All their endeavours to lance it, were 

 therefore in vain. The crews of the loose boats, 

 being unable to keep pace with the fish, caught hold 

 of and moored themselves to the fast-boats, and for 

 some hours afterwards, all hands were constrained 

 to sit in idle impatience, waiting for some relaxation 

 in the speed of the whale. Its most general course 

 had hitherto been to windward, but a favourable 

 change taking place, enabled the ship, which had 

 previously been at a great distance, to join the boats 

 at 8 P. M. They succeeded in taking one of the 

 lines to the ship, which was made fast to the ship, 

 with a view of retarding its flight. They then furl- 

 ed the top-gallant-sails, and lowered the top-sails; 

 but after supporting the ship a few minutes head to 

 wind, the wither of the harpoon ujpset, or twisted 

 aside, and the instrument was disengaged from its 

 grasp. The whale immediately set off to wind- 

 ward, with increased speed, and it required an in- 

 terval of three hours before the ship could again 

 approach it. Another line was then taken on board 

 which immediately broke. A fifth harpoon had pre- 

 viously been struck, to replace the one which was 

 pulled out, but the line attached to it was soon after- 

 wards cut. They then instituted various schemes for 

 arresting the speed of the fish, which occupied their 

 close attention nearly twelve hours. But its velocity 

 was yet such, that the master, who had himself pro- 

 ceeded to the attack, was unable to approach suffi- 



