TRYING-OUT. 71 



as they spring aloft from the try-works with 

 besmeared hands and clothes, cannot furl them 

 without leaving a mark wherever they touch. 



Your ship, perhaps, has been thoroughly 

 scrubbed and cleansed, crew cleared of " gurry," 

 and all again made ship-shape and tidy, when, 

 just after dinner, as all hands are on deck, the 

 welcome cry is raised, "There she blows!" 

 " Where away ?" says the captain, hailing the 

 man aloft. " About two points on the lee bow, 

 sir/' " There she blows ! There she blows ! " 

 is shouted again, and echoed back by a dozen 

 voices all agog. The mate, if lively, is soon 



aloft. "What do you make them, Mr. ? ' 



says the captain, mounted on a thwart in the 

 quarter boat, and scanning the horizon with the 

 most eager interest. " I can't make 'em out 

 yet, sir. There 's three or four of 'em ; and 

 they're going quick to windward." 



Presently there sings out one from the fore- 

 iMp-^ill;int yard, "There goes flu-u-u-kes 

 flukes." This is always decisive of the kind ; 

 tr the rnjht whale, after breathing or blowing 

 ,i iVw moments on the surface, pitches down 



