WHALE-FISH BUY. 197 



ing than those produced by the actual knowledge of 

 the truth. 



Keen and vigilant observance of the direction 

 pursued by the whale, on the part of the persons 

 engaged in the chase, and a corresponding observ- 

 ance of the same by their commanders, can be the 

 only means within the power of each party of secur- 

 ing the ship and boats from being widely separated, 

 without knowing what course to pursue for re-unit- 

 ing them. Much depends on the people employed 

 in the boats using every known means to arrest the 

 progress of the fish in its flight, by attacking it with 

 the most skilful, active, and persevering efforts, un- 

 til it is killed; and then, as speedily as may be, of 

 availing themselves of the intimation they may pos- 

 sess relative to the position of the ship, for the pur- 

 pose of rejoining her. But as their knowledge of the 

 direction of their movements generally depends on 

 the wind, unless they happen to be provided with 

 a compass, and have attentively marked their route 

 by its indications, any change in the direction of 

 the wind, must be attended with serious conse- 

 quences. 



Anecdotes illustrative of Peculiarities in the Whale 



Fishery. 



On the 25th of June, 181S, one of the harpooners 

 belonging to the Resolution, of Whitby, under my 

 command, struck a whale by the edge of a small 



