NINE MONTHS IN THE ARCTIC. 31 



then in company. The three ships were in full 

 pursuit of the monsters of the deep. The school 

 was overtaken in course of an hour or two work- 

 ing to the leeward. At first, one of the boats 

 was lowered from the Citizen, and then another, 

 and another, until four boats were bounding over 

 the waves, each seeking to be laid alongside of 

 his victim, and join in the uncertain conflict. 

 From the three ships there were twelve boats 

 pressing forward with the utmost celerity to 

 share in the encounter, and each emulous to bear 

 off his prize. The fourth boat despatched from 

 the Citizen fastened to a whale. He was shortly 

 lanced, and spouted blood — a sure indication 

 that he had received his death wound. In mor- 

 tal agony, he plunged, and floundered, and min- 

 gled the warm current of his own life with the 

 foaming waters around him. Conscious, ap- 

 parently, of the authors of his sufferings, with 

 rage and madness he at once attacked the boat, 

 and with his ponderous jaws seized it, and in 

 a moment bit it in two in the centre. Nor 

 was there any time to be lost by the humble 

 occupants of the boat. The rules of courtesy 

 and ordinary politeness in entertaining a superior 

 were for the time being laid entirely aside. Each 

 seaman fled for his life — some from the stern, 

 ; nd others from the bow, while the cracking 



