WHALE-FISHERY. 169 



probably set fire to the boat. During the capture 

 of one whale, a groove is sometimes cut in the bol- 

 lard, near an inch in depth; and, were it not for a 

 plate of brass, iron, or a block of lignum- vitse, which 

 covers the top of the stem where the line passes 

 over, it is apprehended that the action of the line on 

 the material of the boat, would cut it down to the wa- 

 ter's edge, in the course of one season of successful 

 fishing. The approaching distress of a boat, for 

 want of line, is indicated by the elevation of an oar, 

 in the way of a mast, to which is added a second, 

 a third, or even a fourth, in proportion to the nature 

 of the exigence. The utmost care and attention are 

 requisite, on the part of every person in the boat, 

 when the lines are running out; fatal consequences 

 having been sometimes produced by the most tri- 

 fling neglect. When the line happens " to run 

 foul/' and can not be cleared on the instant, it some- 

 times draws the boat under water; on which, if no 

 auxiliary boat, or convenient piece of ice be at hand, 

 the crew are plunged into the sea, and are obliged 

 to trust to the buoyancy of their oars, or to their 

 skill in swimming, for supporting themselves on the 

 surface. To provide against such an accident, as 

 well as to be ready to furnish an additional supply 

 of lines, it is usual, when boats are sent in pursuit, for 

 two to go out in company; and when a whale has 

 been struck, for the first assisting boat which ap- 

 proaches, to join the fast-boat, and to stay by it un- 

 til the fish re- appears. The other boats, likewise, 

 Vol. III. 22 



