1 70 SOUTH SEA FISHERY. 



also ; and others, it would appear, in lack of these, 

 hesitate not to attack almost any kind of whale 

 that comes mthin their reach. 



"When a whale appears in view, the signal is given, 

 and the hoats hanging at the ship's side, and com- 

 pletely ready for the attack, are instantly lowered. 

 These boats are supplied ^^ath a mast and sail, 

 and plenty fresh water, with headsman, steersman, 

 and rowers; with harpoons, two of which are at- 

 tached to the lines, with lances and a buoy to which 

 a signal is attached, &c. The boats steer so as to 

 approach the animal from behind, and if there be 

 more than one in view, each boat fastens to a dis- 

 tinct fish, and each crew kill their own. Sometimes 

 the first stroke of the harpoon is mortal, but gene- 

 rally it is othermse, and the harpooner on the 

 instant, rapid like lightning, darts his second har- 

 poon. On this the animal, irritated by the pain, 

 plunges into the deep; and this movement, which 

 the fishers call " sounding," requires the greatest 

 attention lest the line be entangled. When the line 

 is exhausted, the buoy ^^dth its flag is attached to 

 the extremity, and thrown into the sea. This buoy, 

 carried along with the animal, is the compass w^hich 

 guides the boats till they again seize the end of 

 the line when their victim is enfeebled, and its speed 

 diminished by the loss of blood. So soon as its 

 energy is relaxed, the line is carried round the bol- 

 lard, and all the, resistance is ofi'ered that can safely 

 be employed. When the animal requires again to 

 come to the surface, the boat pulls upon the line, 



