OLD WHALING DAYS. 151 



the watch, i.e., a boat fully manned and equipped, lay at 

 the floe edge ready to fasten to a whale. We had not 

 been long waiting before we struck one, which was 

 soon killed ; by the next day at noon we had killed 

 four. The Narwhal was also successful. During the time 

 we were putting the blubber away, the other Dundee 

 steamers hove in sight. 



The Camperdown seeing our position so favourable, sent 

 his boats too near ours, which made both parties liable to 

 frighten whales which might rise between us. This was 

 contrary to the usual practice, and gave great dissatisfaction 

 to us. Formerly captains were more just in their dealings, 

 and were always ready to give a helping hand when 

 required. Whenever a harpooner from another ship gave 

 assistance, either in lancing or striking a friendly harpoon, 

 it was the custom to present him with a pair of canvas 

 trousers and a pound of tobacco, and a pound to each of 

 the boat's crew. We steamed our ship about a mile further 

 from the Camperdown, and during the time we were moving 

 he fastened to his first whale. Eight days after this occur- 

 rence we had captured thirteen. 



To shew how Dame Fortune distributes her favours. We 

 were a company of eight steamers, and lay a certain 

 distance from each other at the floe edge. Each vessel had 

 two boats on the watch. The s.s. Tay was in the middle 

 and apparently in the best place. We captured from nine 

 to twelve whales each, except the Tay, and he only killed 

 one. Several rose close to his boats ; the harpooner 

 several times had his hand on the trigger line ready for the 

 fish to rise again, but only to be disappointed. The same 

 fish would rise close to the bow of another vessel's boat, so 

 that they had no trouble to pull, only to fasten to it some- 

 times with both gun and hand harpoons. To my 

 knowledge this occurred a dozen times. In such cases as 

 this, no blame can be attached to the captain or men. 



