AT SEA: ON THE WHALING GROUNDS 163 



The following account, written by a mid-century whaleman, 

 leaves no doubt on that score. 



"There she blows!" was sung out from the mast-head. 



"Where away?" demanded the captain. 



"Three points off the lee bow, sir!" 



"Raise up your wheel. Steady!" 



"Steady, sir!" 



"Mast-head ahoy! Do you see that whale now?" 



"Ay, ay, sir! A school of sperm whales! There she blows! 

 There she breaches!" 



"Sing out! Sing out every time!" 



"Ay, ay, sir! There she blows! There — there — thar' she blows 

 — bowes — bo-o-o-s ! " 



"How far off?" 



"Two miles and a half!" 



"Thunder and lightning! so near! Call all hands! Clew up 

 the fore-t'gallant-sail — there! belay! Hard down your wheel! Haul 

 aback the main yard! Get your tubs in your boats. Bear a hand! 

 Clear your falls! Stand by all to lower! All ready?" 



"All ready, sir!" 

 "Lower away!" 



Down went the boats with a splash. Each boat's crew sprang over 

 the rail, and in an instant the larboard, starboard, and waist boats were 

 manned. There was great rivalry in getting the start. The waist 

 boat got off in pretty good time; and away went all three, dashing 

 the water high over their bows. Nothing could be more exciting 

 than the chase. The larboard boat, commanded by the mate, and 

 the waist-boat, by the second mate, were head and head. 



"Give way, my lads, give way!" shouted P , our headsman; 



"we gain on them; give way! A long, steady stroke! That's the 

 way to tell it!" 



"Ay, ay!" cried Tabor, our boat-steerer. "What d'ye say, boys? 

 Shall we lick 'em?" 



"Pull! pull like vengeance!" echoed the crew; and we danced 

 over the waves, scarcely seeming to touch them. 



The chase was now truly soul-stirring. Sometimes the larboard, 

 then the starboard, then the waist-boat took the lead. It was a severe 

 trial of skill and muscle. After we had run two miles at this rate, 

 the whales turned flukes, going dead to windward. 



"Now for it, my lads!" cried P . "We'll have them the next 



rising. Now pile it on! a long, steady pull! That's it! that's the 

 way! Those whales belong to us! Don't give out! Half an hour 

 more, and they're our whales!" 



The other boats had veered off at either side of us, and continued 



