172 THE WHALEMAN'S ADVENTURES. 



time the dead whale was abaft the weather 

 beam. And now, without heaving to or alter- 

 ing the ship's course, the boat was lowered to 

 leeward. Mr. Hopkins and his stalwart and 

 eager crew stepped into it, seized their oars 

 the word was given and hurrah, whiz ! away 

 they darted toward the whale with the swiftness 

 of an arrow. 



We watched the boat with much interest 

 and no little anxiety ; for even now, if the prize 

 should be discovered from the Orion, that ship 

 would be filled away, and, running down before 

 the wind, would be able to reach it before Mr. 

 Hopkins could get fast to it with his harpoon. 

 And this reflection seemed to add vigour to the 

 arms of the boat's crew, for they pulled away 

 heartily with a right good will and forced 

 the boat merrily through the water. But their 

 fears were groundless. For nearly half an hour 

 they pulled with a degree of strength and skill 

 seldom equalled, and were close on board the 

 whale, and still neither the whale nor the boat 

 was seen by the sleepy look-out on board the 

 Orion ! 



