106 OLD WHALING DAYS. 



sails. When about seven miles from the ship we cruised 

 about, the weather being bitterly cold, with a nasty sea 

 running. 



Contrary to orders, four df the boats parted company 

 from the others, and took shelter under the lee of an island. 

 The second mate was a little ahead of my boat when a 

 whale rose about six feet from him. He fired at once, and 

 buried the harpoon in its body; the sail was quickly 

 lowered, and away went the fish to windward at a great 

 speed for a time. As soon as possible I pulled up to it, 

 and succeeded in striking it with both the gun and hand 

 harpoons. The whale became furious, and struck about 

 with the tail and fins, rolling over and over near to us! 

 We prepared to lance the first opportunity, and I delivered 

 one in the left side, and was about to give her another, 

 when she struck the boat on the stem, starting it, and leaving 

 some of the skin on the head sheets. 



The sea began to increase, with showers of snow, and no 

 time must be lost in trying to kill her, as she was hastening 

 towards the outside of the fiord, as they usually do when 

 attacked in bad weather. The other boat being further 

 away, and having to pull to windward, only made slow 

 headway. If the other four had been with us the task 

 would not have been so difficult, and would have prevented 

 me being severely injured. A boat entangled as we were, is 

 placed in a most dangerous and difficult position to lance. 

 Having no other assistance at hand, I was obliged to use 

 my utmost endeavours to kill the fish regardless of circum- 

 stances. I was in the act of delivering a third lance, but, 

 owing to the rough sea, the boat could not be managed 

 quick enough to get clear of her, and she struck me across 

 the shoulder blades with the tip of her tail, knocking me 

 overboard with the lance in my hand. 



My boat's crew afterwards told me that immediately I was 

 struck by the fish it began to blow blood, and went rapidly 



