WHALE-FISHERY. 187 



observing, at the same time,. that if it should slip 

 out, the fish would either be lost, or they would be 

 under the necessity of flensing it where it lay, and 

 of dragging the pieces of blubber over the ice to the 

 ship; a kind and degree of labour, every one was 

 anxious to avoid. No sooner was the wish ex- 

 pressed, and its importance made known, than one 

 of the sailors, a smart and enterprising fellow, stept 

 forward and volunteered his services to strike it bet- 

 ter in. Not at all intimidated by the surprise which 

 was manifested in every countenance, by such a 

 bold proposal, he pulled out his pocket-knife, 

 leapt upon the back of the living whale, and imme- 

 diately cut the harpoon out. Stimulated by this 

 courageous example, one of his companions pro- 

 ceeded to his assistance. While one of them haul- 

 ed upon the line and held it in his hands, the other 

 set his shoulder against the extremity of the har- 

 poon, and though it was without a stock, he con- 

 trived to strike it again into the fish more effectually 

 than it was at first; the fish was in motion before 

 they finished. After they got off its back, it ad- 

 vanced, a considerable distance, breaking the ice all 

 the way, and survived this uncommon treatment, 

 ten or fifteen minutes. This admirable act was an 

 essential benefit. The fish fortunately sunk spon- 

 taneously, after being killed, on which it was haul- 

 ed out to the edge of the ice by the line, and secur- 

 ed without further trouble. It proved a stout 

 whale, and a very acceptable prize. 



