HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN WHALE FISHERY. 161 



her prey. The whale was one of those patriarchal old bulls, who are 

 often found alone, and would probably stay down more than an hour 

 before he would be seen again. Meantime, the two ships were rapidly 

 nearing each other 5 and the Pandora's lookouts were not long* in dis- 

 covering that " something was up," as was evinced by her setting the 

 main royal and foretopmast studding-sail, though they could not possi- 

 bly have seen the whale yet. But the whale was apparently working 

 slowly to windward, and the Pandora coming with a flowing sheet, all 

 of which was much in her favor. The old man remained aloft, anxiously 

 waiting the next rising, from time to time hailing the deck to know 

 " what time it was?" and satisfying himself that the boats were in readi- 

 ness, and breakfast served out to those who wanted it. As three- 

 quarters of an hour passed, he grew more anxious and fidgety, shitting 

 his legs about in the cross-trees and clutching the spy-glass in his nerv- 

 ous grasp. 



"Are .vou all ready, Mr. Grafton F 



"Ay, ay, sir," answered the mate from the maintop, where he had 

 mounted to get a look at the whale when he should rise again. 



" Let them hoist and swing the boats." 



"Ay, ay, sir." 



"I think I saw a ripple then," said the second mate, from the topsail 

 yard directly beneath him. 



"Where?" demanded the captain. 



"Four points off the lee bow." 



" O! no, you didn't, he won't come there. He'll rise right ahead or a 

 little on the weather bow. I don't think he'll go to windward — Good 

 gracious! see that Pandora come down! She'll be right in the suds 

 here directly! I think we've run far enough, eh, Mr. Grafton? Haul 

 the mainsail up, then! and square the main-yard!" 



Silence for a few minutes after this evolution was performed. 



"He can't be far off when he comes up again. Look at the men old 

 Worth has got aloft there, his cross-trees swarming, and every rattlin 

 manned. Look sharp! all of ye! We must see that whale when he first 

 breaks water. That helm eased down? Haul the foresail up! and let 

 the jib-sheets flow a little more. It can't be i)ossible that the whale has 

 been up — no, we couldn't help seeing him, some of us — I Imoiv 'twas a 

 sperm whale. I saw his fan ; besides, there's Mr. Johnson — best eyes in 

 the ship. What time is it there ? An hour and ten minutes that. whale 

 has been down — a long-winded old dog! We shall have to wear around, 

 I'm afraid we shall forge. Blo-o-ows! right ahead, not one mile off! 

 Down, there, and lower away ! oSfow, Mr. Grafton, work carefully — Mr. 

 Dunham, too; if you don't strike this rising, spread your chances well, 

 and don't crowd each other — hut donH you let the Pandora get him .'" The 

 captain was by this time in the stern of his own boat. "All ready, Mr, 

 Johnson? Where's Old Jeff".* at my midship oar ? O, here you are, eh *? 



* Every mau has bis place. 

 11 



