360 AVIIALE-FISHERY, 



arose to tlie surface of the water and was taken iip^ 

 along- with liis companions into my boat. A simi- 

 lar attack was made on the next boat which came 

 up ; but tlie harpooncr being warned of the prior 

 conduct of the fish, used sucli precautions, that the 

 blow, tliough equal in strength, took effect only m 

 an inferior degree. The boat was slightly stove. 

 The acti^ ity and skill of the lancers soon overcame 

 this designing whale, accomplished its capture, and 

 added its produce to the cargo of the ship. Such 

 intentional mischief on the part of a whale, it must 

 be observed, is an occurrence which is somewhat rare. 

 Again. AVhile the same ship, (Resolution,) na- 

 ■\ igated an open lake of water, in the 81st degree, 

 of north latitude, during a keen frost and strong 

 north wind, on the 2d of June 1806, a whale ap- 

 peared, and a boat put off in pursuit. On its se- 

 cond visit to the surface of the sea, it was harpoon- 

 ed. A convulsive lieave of the tail, which succeed- 

 ed the wound, struck the boat at the stern ; and by 

 its reaction, projected the boat-steerer overboard. 

 As the line in a moment dragged the boat beyond 

 his reach, the crew threw some of their oars towards 

 him for his support, one of which he fortunately 

 seized. Ilie ship and boats being at a considerable 

 distance, and the fast-boat being rapidly drawn 

 away from him, the harpooner cut the line, with 

 the view of rescuing him from his dangerous situa- 

 tion. But no sooner was this act performed, than 



