i6o THE AMERICAN WHALEMAN 



get for his poised weapon j sometimes the harpoon failed to 

 penetrate far enough to secure an adequate holdj and at other 

 times the chase might be continued for hours without obtaining 

 a single opportunity to strike. In some instances, when the 

 animal had become alarmed while still beyond reach, resort was 

 had to "pitch-poling," a peculiar manner of throwing the har- 

 poon, with tolerable accuracy, for longer distances. 



But a successful cast of the harpoon, when it came, was suc- 

 ceeded by moments replete with activity, excitement, and dan- 

 ger. The most immediate necessity was to keep clear of the 

 wild, convulsive movements of the stricken animal j and at the 

 command, "Stern all! For your lives!" every oar was re- 

 versed in a frantic effort to keep out of the danger zone. As 

 soon as a position of momentary safety had been attained, the 

 mast was lowered, the mate went forward to the bow, where 

 he was thenceforth to wield the lance, the harpooner took the 

 steering-oar in the stern, and preparation was made for battle 

 at close quarters. 



Meanwhile the whale was following one of three courses 

 of action. It might turn at once in an attempt to demolish the 

 boat ; it might start off at a tremendous speed, swimming along 

 the surface and towing the boat and its occupants by means 

 of the whaleline attached to the harpoon 5 or it might "turn 

 flukes" and "sound," taking out fathom after fathom of line 

 as it descended with startling rapidity. 



The first case was comparatively rare, and was confined to 

 those few "ugly" whales which were disposed to show fight at 

 once. When such an individual was encountered, however, 

 the only recourse open to the whalemen was the precarious one 

 of attempting to evade the jaws and flukes of the cachalot, 

 as best they might, until the latter tired of its tactics and ceased 

 to take the initiative. 



If the victim of the harpoon chose to "run" along the sur- 

 face the occupants of the boat were given a wild ride, face- 

 tiously termed a "Nantucket sleigh ride," in the wake of the 

 fleeing monster. Oftentimes a boat would be towed thus for 

 several hours at a pace which defeated all attempts to shorten 

 materially the length of the tow-line 3 and it was only after 

 the whale became tired that the mate could be brought close 



