295 AVHAI-E-FISIlEIiY. 



attached to the fin. In this state of supposed secu- 

 rity, all hand;, retired to regale themselves, the 

 captain himself not excepted. The ship being at a dis- 

 tance from any ice, and the fish believed to be secure, 

 they made no great haste in their enjoyment. At 

 length, the specksioneer having spent sufficient time 

 in indulgence and equipment, with an air of import- 

 ance and self-confidence, proceeded on deck, and 

 naturally turned to look on the whale. To his as- 

 tonishment it was not there. In some alarm he 

 looked a-stern, a-head, on the other side, but his 

 search was useless ; the ship drifting fast, had pressed 

 forcibly upon the whale, the rope broke, the fish sunk 

 and was lost! The mortification of this event may 

 be conceived, but the termination of their vexation 

 will not easily be imagined, when it is known, that 

 no other opportunity of procuring a whale occur- 

 red during the voyage. The ship returned home 

 cleari. 



SECT. XI. 



Process of Flensing. 



After the whale is properly secured alongside of 

 the ship, and the men sufficiently refreshed, the 

 harpooners, having their feet armed with " spurs,* 

 (PL 20. fig. 15.) to prevent them from slipping. 



