472 ACCOUNT OF THE Alt€TIC REGIONS. 



leading to the capture of the mother. Presently 

 she arose close by the " fast-boat ;" and seizing the 

 young one, dragged about a hundred fathoms of line 

 out of the boat with remarkable force and velocity. 

 Again she arose to the surface ; darted furiously to 

 and fro ; frequently stopped short, or suddenly 

 changed her direction, and gave every possible 

 intimation of extreme agony. For a length of time, 

 ^he continued thus to act, though closely pursued 

 by the boats ; and, inspired with courage and resolu- 

 tion by her concern for her offspring, seemed re- 

 gardless of the danger which surrounded her. At 

 length, one of the boats approached so near, that a 

 harpoon was hove at her. It hit, but did not at- 

 tacli itself. A second harpoon was struck ; this also 

 failed to penetrate : but a third was more effectual, 

 and held. Still she did not attempt to escape ; but 

 allowed other boats to approach ; so that, in a few 

 minutes, three more harpoons were fastened ; and, 

 in the course of an hour afterwards, she was killed. 



There is something extremely painful in the de- 

 struction of a whale, when thus evincing a degree 

 of affectionate regard for its offspring, that would 

 -do honour to the superior intelligence of human be- 

 ings; yet the object of the adventure, the value of 

 the prize, the joy of the capture, cannot be sacrificed 

 to feelings of compassion. 



Whales, though often found in great numbers 

 together, can scarcely be said to be gregarious ; for 



