"GOING ON." 103 



that no other boat but ours, could approach them 

 favorably. 



; < Pull a little," said the mate. 



We shot her rapidly ahead with the oars for a 

 few strokes, and then peaked them again, tho 

 boat making good headway under her sail alone. 



We could now hear them spout, and when a 

 hsavy swell would come rolling home, would fancy 

 we could hear their huge bodies burrowing 

 through the water. It was a time of intense 

 excitement. 



" We'll have to stand across a little, in order to 

 gel up behind them," said the mate ; it being 

 impossible to approach a sperm whale unperceived 

 from the side. 



After making a little detour, we again stood 

 toward the school, and the mate singled out one 

 huge fellow nearest us, and happily the largest of 

 the school, as our prize. 



Each individual of the crew had received from 

 the mate, on first lowering, some final instructions 

 as to his especial duties, in case we should get fast; 

 and we now sat stock still in the boat, oars firmly 

 grasped and ready for instantaneous use, and 

 scarce breathing from excitement We were fast 

 overtaking his whaleship. 



Now the hoarse bellow, as he ejected the water 

 from his spout holes, grew louder, and looking 

 over my shoulder as the boat was lifted on a 

 mighty swell, 1 saw the huge form of leviathan, 

 stupidly rolling in the waves. 



