164 WHALING 



that whale when he first breaks water. That helm eased down? 

 Haul the foresail up! and let the jib-sheets flow a little more. 

 It can't be possible that the whale has been up — no, we couldn't 

 help seeing him, some of us — I know 'twas a sperm whale. I 

 saw his fan; besides, there's Mr. Johnson — best eyes in the 

 ship. What time is it there? An hour and ten minutes that 

 whale has been down — a long-winded old dog! We shall have 

 to wear around, I'm afraid we shall forge. Blo-o-o-ows! right 

 ahead, not one mile off! Down, then, and lower away! Now, 

 Mr. Grafton, work carefully — Mr. Dunham, too; if you don't 

 strike this rising, spread your chances well, and don't crowd 

 each other — hut don't you let the 'Pandora' get him!' The cap- 

 tain was by this time in the stern of his own boat. 'All ready, 

 Mr. Johnson! Where's Old Jeff? at my midship oar? Oh, 

 here you are, eh? You ain't turned white yet — lower away! 

 Cooper ! where's Cooper? As soon as we are all clear, wear round 

 — Let run that davit fall? — ^Wear round and make a short board — 

 pull up your tackle, boy. Keep to windward all you can. 

 Cooper! Pull a little off the weather bow, Mr. Grafton, and 

 then set your sail! Haul in these gripes towing over the 

 quarter. By thunder, there's Worth's boats all down! coming 

 with a fair wind, too! Out oars, lads.' 



''The Pandora had luffed to, and dropped her boats a mile 

 to windward, and they were coming down before the breeze, 

 wing-and-wing, with their paddles flashing in the sunlight, and 

 their immense jibs guyed out on the bow-oar as studding-sails, 

 promising to stand about an equal chance for the whale with 

 ourselves. The larboard boat to which I belonged proved the 

 fastest of the three and had a little the lead. After pulling a 

 few quiet strokes to windward. Father Grafton set his sails, and, 

 as he gave the order to 'peak the oars and take the paddles,' 

 seemed as cool and calm as when engaged in the most ordinary 

 duty on board. There was no confusion or bustle in his boat, 

 but, with his practiced eye fixed upon the huge spermaceti, he 

 kept encouraging us in a low, dry tone, as he conned the steering 

 oar with such skill that he seemed to do it without effort. 



"'Now, lads, you face round to paddle, you can all see him. 



