264) WHALE-FISHEUY. 



breaking the ice as it advanced, in spite of the lan- 

 ces constantly directed against it. It reached at 

 length a kind of bason in the field, where it floated 

 on the surface of the water, without any encumbrance 

 from ice. Its back being fairly exposed, the har- 

 poon struck from the boat on the outside, was ob- 

 served to be so slightly entangled, that it was ready 

 to drop out. Some of the officers lamented this 

 circumstance, and expressed a wish that the har- 

 poon were better fast, — observing, at the same 

 time, that if it should slip out, the fish w^ould either 

 be lost, or they would be under the necessity of 

 flensing it where it lay, and of dragging the pieces of 

 blubber over the ice to the sliip ; a kind and degree 

 of labour every one was anxious to avoid. No 

 sooner was the wish expressed, and its importance 

 made known, than one of the sailors, a smart and 

 enterprising fellow% stept forward and volunteered 

 his services to strike it better in. Not at all inti- 

 midated by the surprise which was manifested in 

 every countenance, by such a bold proposal, — he pul- 

 led out his pocket-knife, — leapt upon the back of the 

 living whale, — and immediately cut the harpoon out. 

 Stimulated by this courageous example, one of his 

 companions jjroceeded to his assistance. While 

 one of tliem hauled upon the line and held it in his 

 hands, the other set his shoulder against the extre- 

 mity of the harpoon, and though it was without a 

 stock, he contrived to strike it again into the fish 



