t,AWS OF THE FISHEllY. ^2S 



taken clown, which is considered as an acknowledg- 

 ment that the fish was loose, and consequently a free 

 prize. 



If, when a fish is struck, the lines of the fast- 

 boat should be expended before any assistance ar- 

 rives, and the men should abandon the boat and be- 

 take themselves to the ice, or even to swimming, 

 supported by their oars, while the boat is allowed 

 to be drawn under water, with the hope of securing 

 the fish by the sacrifice, — that moment when the 

 men quit the boat and release it from their grasp, 

 the continuity with the whale is broken, and it is 

 considered to be loose. Hence, though the rest 

 of the boats belonging to the same vessel may 

 immediately arrive, though they may disperse them- 

 selves around the spot, remain on watch for the 

 return of the fish to the surface, and assist in 

 killing it, yet, whenever the fish is subdued, it be- 

 comes the indisputable prize of the second striker*. 



* A remarkable case in point, occurred in the Spitsbergen 

 fishery, about fifteen years r.go. Two London ships were in 

 company, near the edge of a field of ice, where several fish were 

 astir. A harpooner belo'^ging to one of them, the Neptune, 

 struck a whale when at a distanv e fro n his companions ; Avhich, 

 taking his line out, before assistance could reach hiin, he fas- 

 tened its end to the boat, and allow d the boat to be taken under 

 water, with the expect"* ion of its being the means of regain- 

 ing the fish. Boats were sent from the ship in company, with 

 the ostensible viev/ of assisting ; from one of which, the whale, 



x2 



