34 THE WHALEMAN ; OR, 



boat, the boat moving through the water as fast 

 and as long as he pressed his head against the 

 point of the lance. This was the only means 

 of their defence. It was a most fortunate cir- 

 cumstance in a most trying situation. If the 

 handle of the lance had broken, they would have 

 been at the mercy of a desperate antagonist. 

 The countenances of the boys were pallid w T ith 

 fear, and doubtless the very hair upon their heads 

 stood erect. It was a struggle for life. It was 

 death presented to them under one of the most 

 frightful forms. They were, however, as singu- 

 larly and as suddenly relieved as they were un- 

 expectedly attacked. The whale caught sight 

 of the ship, as was supposed, which was running 

 down towards the boats, and suddenly started 

 for the new and larger object of attack. This 

 was observed by the captain, who immediately 

 made signal to keep the ship off the wind, which 

 would give her more headway, and thus, if pos- 

 sible, escape a concussion which appeared at 

 first sight inevitable. The whale started on his 

 new course towards the ship with the utmost 

 velocity, with the intention of running into her. 

 The consequences no one could predict; more 

 than likely he would have either greatly disa- 

 bled the ship, or even sunk her, had he struck 

 her midships. To prevent such a catastrophe — 



