CAPTURING THE WHALE. 103 



culate he is most likely to rise, in order that one 

 of them at least may be within a start, as it is 

 called; that is, within two hundred yards of his 

 place of re-appearing, at which distance they can 

 easily reach him before he is prepared to descend 

 again. On its rising, they hasten towards the spot, 

 and as they reach it, each harpooner plunges his 

 weapon into its back, to the amount of three, four, 

 or more, according to the size of the whale, and 

 the nature of the situation. Most frequently, how- 

 ever, the animal descends a few minutes after re- 

 ceiving the second harpoon, and obliges the other 

 boats to await its return to the surface, before any 

 further attack can be made. After this it is actively 

 plied with long and sharp lances, which are thrust 

 into its body, and aimed deep at its vitals. At 

 length, when exhausted with numerous wounds and 

 the loss of blood, which flows in copious streams, it 

 indicates the approach of dissolution by discharging 

 blood from the spiracles, along with the air and 

 mucus, and finally, jets of blood alone appear. The 

 sea to a great extent is dyed with the blood, — and the 

 ice, boats, and men, are sometimes drenched with it. 

 Its track is likewise marked by a broad pellicle of 

 oil, which exudes from its wounds, and appears on 

 the surface of the sea. The final capture is some- 

 times preceded by a convulsive and awful struggle : 

 and in dying, it turns over on its side or back ; 

 which joyful circumstance is announced by three 

 loud huzzas, and the striking of the flags. No time 

 is lost, ere the tail is pierced and fastened with ropes 



