Sketches From Oldest America 



the boat with the whaling spear. The men at first 

 refused, but ultimately acceded to his request by 

 placing him at the head with the spear. Just then 

 a whale coming along quite close, they told him to 

 dart, but he said no; that was not the right one, as 

 it passed off. Then the ice began crowding in and 

 the canoe was quickly hauled out. The men 

 stepped back to a safe place, but Allugua stayed at 

 the edge. 



After a while he began beckoning to the men to 

 come forward. But no, they would not, for they 

 thought it was simply the crowding ice he heard. 

 Later on, the ice moved off and another whale came 

 quite close. The men again placed the spear in his 

 hand and told him to dart, but he said no; that was 

 not the right one. The ice again crowding in as 

 before, he took his stand at the edge. After listen 

 ing a while he beckoned for the men to come for 

 ward. At last they did so, remarking among them 

 selves, that it was only the crowding of the ice he 

 heard. He stood for a moment listening, then 

 darted the spear, but instead of striking the ice, it 

 went under, and the line with the floats was drawn 

 out with great rapidity. He had darted a large 

 whale which was soon dispatched. 

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