WHALE-FISHERIES. 91 



the right and humpback whales resort to the various 

 bays on this coast for the purpose of producing their 

 young. A look-out is stationed on an eminence 

 ashore, and several boat's crews being near at hand, at 

 the appearance of a whale the alarm is given, and 

 they start in pursuit. At times their work is very 

 easj', but if the whale should run out to sea, after 

 being struck, they are obliged to tow him to the 

 shears, and frequently a day and night are consumed 

 in this arduous employment. If the whale is attended 

 by a calf, they always fasten to the latter first, know- 

 ing that the mother, in her solicitude forher oiFspring, 

 is very careful not to use her tremendous flukes ; or 

 if a humpback, her sweeping fins: but woe betide 

 the boat, unless an experienced boat-header directs 

 it, that is in the vicinity when she discovers that her 

 calf is dead. She then remains close to the lifeless 

 body, striking right and left with flukes and fins, 

 to avenge her loss ; and as the slightest tap from 

 these formidable weapons would cause destruction, 

 it requires all the boat-header's adroitness to avoid 

 them. The officers, boatsteerers, and, if they can by 

 any means be procured, two-thirds of the crews are 

 Americans ; we having a world-wide reputation for 

 skill in this pursuit. 



