THE AMERICAN WHALEMAN. 367 



until a good hold was assured. Then I cautiously withdrew 

 the rod, evidently bringing the tenant of the cave with it. 

 Presently I was sure it was a black bear unwilling to come 

 to the light; but suddenly an awful stench drove me back 

 from the hole, and a skunk, in all its native ugliness, stood 

 revealed. As I was fairly in for it, and the " varmint " had 

 done his worst, I killed him on the spot. 



MORAL : Whenever theory places a large animal in a small hole, reject 

 the bear, and suspect the skunk. 



In accordance with this, I accepted the theory of the inof- 

 fensive character of the right whale with allowance, especial- 

 ly as we were sperm-whalemen, who had been accustomed to 

 haul close and run broadside on, or, as the man-of-war's men 

 would express it, " engage yard-arm and yard-arm." I adopt 

 the naval lingo, that landsmen may better take my meaning. 



