248 THE OCEAN. 



for after it had disappeared only for a few minutes, 

 it again rose, apparently in great trepidation, and, 

 as it reared with great velocity, half of its huge 

 body projected out of the water. Gaining, however, 

 in a few seconds the horizontal position, it went on 

 at its utmost speed, going head out; the moment 

 after which, he saw a fish, somewhat resembling 1 

 a Conger-eel in figure, but rather more bulky, and 

 to all appearance about six or eight feet in length, 

 flying itself high out of the water after the Whale, 

 and fall clumsily on its back, which caused still 

 more alarm to the immense but timid animal, so 

 that it beat the water with its tail, and reared its 

 enormous head so violently, that sounds from the 

 former could be heard at a great distance : it still, 

 however, continued its rapid career, receiving every 

 few minutes the unwelcome visits of its galling 

 adversary. My informant had good reason to be- 

 lieve that some other animal was at the same time 

 attacking it from below ; for, on more than one 

 occasion, he saw some animal dart at times to the 

 surface with amazing quickness, as if engaged with 

 great fury in the contest ; and which, he supposes, 

 prevented the Whale from descending, in which he 

 had the power, no doubt, if he had not been thus 

 prevented, of leaving his antagonists far behind. 

 The attack was continued for a considerable time, 

 during which the Whale had got a great distance 

 from the ship, when it twice threw itself completely 

 out of its native element, no doubt endeavouring- 

 to escape from its tormenting adversaries by this 

 act of 'breaching,' and which I have myself seen 



