420 THE WORLD OF THE SEA. 
the Lssex, in November, 1820, when in the South Seas, descried a 
number of whales, and directed its course towards them. Having 
arrived in the midst of these animals, according to custom, the 
small boats were let down into the water. The little fleet advanced 
rapidly, and the ship followed at a short distance. Suddenly, the 
largest of the whales, which seemed to consist of a family party, 
left the rest, and disdaining the small boats, rushed straight at the 
ship, which he justly suspected to be his principal enemy. At the 
first shock, a portion of the keel was broken; the animal then 
endeavoured to seize the ship in several places, with his gigantic 
jaws, but not being able to manage this, he retreated about six 
hundred feet, and dashed with all his strength against the prow 
of the vessel, driving it with a velocity of four knots a second. 
This caused an immense wave to rise, and the water pouring into 
the windows, filled the cabin, and laid the ship on her side. The 
boats vainly tried to save her; when they arrived it was too late. 
All they could do was to break in the deck, and snatch a small 
quantity of bread and water, for the supply of the boats’ crews. 
In the northern seas, the capture of a whale is quite a fortune. 
When the Esquimaux catch sight of one of these monsters, they 
at once put on all their best clothes. These are probably the 
only occasions on which men and women indulge in washing and 
adorning themselves. It is asserted that they are specially careful 
not to put on any garment which has ever been in contact with a 
human corpse. If this precaution were not observed, the whale 
would instantly take flight when the wearer of the garment 
approached, even if it already had several harpoons in its body. 
We venture to question this assertion! However this may be, all 
suitable arrangements being made, the little fleet starts; they 
harpoon the animal, perforate it with blows from javelins and 
spears, till it becomes exhausted and dies. The whale is then 
dragged to the coast and divided, while half the body is under 
water. Those who have been present merely as spectators of the 
struggle have a share in the partition, as well as all those who 
have actually taken part in it. Men, women, and children, 
scramble round the prize, each one tries to help in cutting it up, 
and every one is anxious to seize the largest piece. For some 
