THE AMERICAN WHALE-FISHERY. ■ 257 
responded to. The boats are in readiness; they are "hoisted and swung;" and 
when the time comes for "lowering,"' they are dropped into the water with every 
man in his place. Springing to the oars, the boats bound over the waves ; and in 
approaching the whale, the officer of the boat in advance carefully "cons" his little 
craft, and orders the "harpooniersman" by word or motion, to stand ready, with his 
weapon poised, as a rattling, rippling sound is heard, and a huge black form breaks 
the water, with the harsh, ringing noise of its first respiration. Instantly the deadly 
spear flies from ready hands, and plunges into the mammoth creature. The water 
is lashed into a pyramid of bloody foam, the boat is "fast," and the whale in 
vain endeavors to escape by running over the surface of the sea, then diving to 
the depths below ; but its human pursuers still cling to the line attached to the 
fatal harpoon. The whale rises again to the surface, in some degree exhausted. 
Another boat approaches, and darts its murderous weapons, and the pursuit is con- 
tinued with renewed vigor. When, at last, a vital part is pierced, the animal 
deeply crimsons its pathway with its remaining life-blood, and lashes the sea into 
clouds of spray in its dying contortions. Then follow wild cheers by the crews in 
the boats ; while the ship bears down under reduced sail, and the whale is secured 
by the ponderous fluke -chain. The boats arc again hoisted, and all hands are on 
board. Everyone is cheerful, and works with a will; up goes the cutting-gear, 
and the implements are in readiness for cutting -in the whale. The officers being 
on the cutting -stage, a few strokes with their spades, and the order is given to 
"heave away." The men at the windlass heave around cheerily, to the tune of a 
boisterous song, and the animal is soon stripped of its rich covering ; the decks 
are cleaned up, the try- works are "started," and under the smoke of the torching 
scrap -fire, amid the din of the cooper's hammer preparing the oil- casks, and the 
general hum -drum incident to boiling out and stowing down, Jack spins his yarns 
of past exploits, savoring of good luck and thrilling adventures. 
We have said that ill success brings its accompanying evils, which the captain 
is obliged to contend with ; for, sometimes, when the whales are found in 
plenty, through the selfish maneuvering of some officer with his boat's crew, the 
chase may be a fruitless one. Good whalemen are full of the sportsman's spirit ; 
and, like the buffalo hunters of the plains, they have no passion to pursue small 
game ; and any marine animals inferior to the whale fail to lure them into the ex- 
citing chase. Hence, when in hot pursuit, the impulse to become the captors is so 
tempting, that many a valuable whale has been "gallied," through the reckless 
strife of some boat- header, in his efforts to be first to strike the animal. A more 
unfortunate state of affairs can hardly exist than "opposition whaling" by officers 
Marine Mammals.— 33. 
