176 THE WHALEMAN'S ADVENTURES. 



" How far, and what is she'?" 



" Three miles a real sperm/' was the reply. 



The men of the American had not been idle 

 during this dialogue. As soon as the first 

 "There she blows" was heard, each man had 

 sprung to his station in the boat. Stopping 

 for a moment to have a keg of water placed in 

 the stern sheets, the boat-steerer, who gives the 

 account, sprung into the boat, and, casting all 

 clear, they were soon under weigh. " Our 

 neighbours had also been on the alert. A well- 

 manned boat from each ship was in the chase. 



" These ships laying somewhat in advance, 

 we found they had the advantage of from fifteen 

 to forty rods the start of us. Speaking a few 

 words of encouragement to the men, we were 

 soon passing over the water with a velocity 

 which is hardly conceivable to a landsman. 

 The American whaleman is the only man who 

 never turns his head to look while in the chase 

 of a whale that part belongs to the boat-steer- 

 er. They are thus enabled to give their whole 

 energy to the oar, laying themselves to the 

 work with a hearty good will. Placing the 



