284 AVHALE-FISHERY. 



miles from the, sliip, not ^vitlistandiiig our utmost 

 efforts, under a pressure of sail, to keep near them. 

 I was, therefore, prevented from directing their 

 movements, or, indeed, from affording them the 

 least assistance. 



After six or seven hours pursuit, without success, 

 the sky became overcast, and we were suddenly en- 

 veloped for some time, in the obscurity of a thick 

 fog. This circumstance excited much alarm for 

 the safety of the boats. We were scon, however, 

 relieved, by the fog being dispelled. In this inter- 

 val, the boats were all moored to the fast-boat, the 

 men being fearful of being dispersed ; but on the 

 disappearance of the fog, the pursuit was recommen- 

 ced with renewed and more detennined vigour. 

 Still the harpooners were not able to succeed. They 

 were now convinced of the necessity of using every 

 measure to retard the flight of the fish. For this 

 purpose they slacked out nine lines, a weight in 

 air of ll^l^ cwt. while the crew of the fast-boat en- 

 deavoured farther to retard its progress, by holding 

 their oars firmly in the water, as if in the act of 

 backing the boat a-stern. But this plan did not 

 succeed. They then lashed two or three boats with 

 their sides to the stern of the fast-boat, and these 

 were dragged broadside first, with little diminution 

 of velocity for some time. But the fish at length feel- 

 ing the impediment, suddenly changed its course^ 



