212 THE AMERICAN WHALEMAN 



And, although the bark was snapped in 

 Pieces, saved the crew — by luck. 

 Now the good Ann Alexander 

 To their aid the waist-boat sent; 

 Half the band then having manned her, 

 At the whale again they went. 



Soon the ocean-giant nearing, 

 They prepared to give him fight. 

 Little thinking, never fearing. 

 That the beast again would bite. 

 But without their host they reckoned; 

 At their boat he also flew; 

 Like the first he served the second. 

 Snapped it into pieces too. 



Sure his jaws, together clapping, 



Had the gallant seamen crushed; 



But, when they perceived him snapping, 



Straight into the sea they rushed. 



To afford the help they needed. 



Bold Deblois repaired again; 



Once more, also, he succeeded. 



In the aim to save his men. 



Tired, perhaps, of sport renewing, 

 To their ship this time they hied. 

 When, behold the whale pursuing. 

 With his jaws extended wide. 

 Gloating with revenge, he sought 'em; 

 But, with blubber pierced, and gored, 

 He was crippled, or had caught 'em; 

 But they all got safe on board. 



Risk the heroes little cared for; 



Speedily they set their sail 



In the ship herself — prepared for 



One more tussle with the whale. 



Now they reached him — plunged a lance in 



The infuriate monster's head; 



Then — of course they had no chance in 



Close encounter — onward sped. 



For the ship they saw him making, 

 But the chase he soon gave o'er. 

 Which the animal forsaking, 



