LOWERING AWAY 



At the word of command the fi-anes swing back, the falls slacken away, and the second mate's boat 

 drops to the water, the crew following by way of the slide-boards and tackles. Each man takes his place, 

 with the harpooner at the bow oar and the boat header at the helm. Unless there be no breeze, or the 

 whales lie to windward, the mast is soon stepped and the chase made under sail 



390 



