CAPTAIN OVERBOARD. 117 



for checking the line by friction as it runs out, 

 a " round turn" being taken for that purpose. 

 From the loggerhead the line passes along the 

 whole length of the boat between the men, and 

 leads out through a notch in the bow to the 

 harpoons, two of which are always attached to 

 the line's end. 



As soon as the whale disappeared, the line 

 commenced running out of the tub so rapidly, 

 that, as it rubbed around the loggerhead, sparks 

 of fire flew from it in a stream. As the different 

 coils run from the tub, they sometimes, when 

 not well laid down, get " foul" or tangled, in 

 which case there is great danger, for, in attempt- 

 ing to clear the line, a turn may get by accident 

 around an arm or a leg. As any one can see, 

 there is little hope for the unhappy man thus 

 entangled, for, unless the line be cut instantly, 

 either the limb is lost or the man goes over- 

 board. 



A few years since, one of the most active and 

 energetic of our whaling captains was thus taken 

 overboard by the line, and had the singular 

 good fortune to survive to tell the story. The 



