144 THE WHALEMAN'S ADVENTURES. 



Quarterly, a few years ago, described an adven- 

 ture in the pursuit of a whale, which, given 

 here for substance with some additions, will be 

 read with deep interest by all who are in any- 

 wise familiar with the " hair-breadth 'scapes and 

 moving accidents" in the ordinary career of 

 whalemen. 



One of a ship's company or officers in the 

 North Pacific, near the close of a day that had 

 been rather stormy, says, that a school of young 

 bull whales made their appearance close to the 

 ship, and the weather having cleared up a little, 

 the captain immediately ordered the mate to 

 lower his boat, while he did the same with his 

 own, in order to go in pursuit of them. 



The two boats were instantly lowered, for 

 they were unable to send more, having had two 

 others ( ' stove " the day before. They soon got 

 near the whales, but were unfortunately seen by 

 them before they could dart the harpoon with 

 any chance of success, and the consequence was, 

 that the school of whales separated, and went 

 off with great swiftness, in different directions. 

 One, however, after making several turns, came 



