LOWERING ON A ROUGH PAY. 115 



It was about a week after our mishap, thai 

 whales were raised, little more than a mile to v\ ind 

 ward. There was a fresh breeze, and more *c>% 

 than a boat could be comfortably pulled against. 

 But at this time we would have " lowered " in a 

 gale of wind. Moreover, a moderately rough day, 

 such as this was, is considered a much better wha- 

 ling time than when there is little wind and a 

 smooth sea; as it has been found that whales will 

 not run so fast, and oftentimes will not run at all, 

 thus becoming an easy prey. 



The whales three in number were slowly 

 drifting to leeward. They were discovered about 

 ten o'clock, A. M. We worked the ship to wind- 

 ward until one o'clock, keeping well ahead of 

 them, and then, having gotten into what was con- 

 sidered a favorable position, took advantage of 

 their sounding, to " lower." 



" ]STow, my lads," said the mate to us, after we 

 were some distance from the ship, " if we do not 

 get fast and kill our whale to-day, I shall think 

 we have not done our duty ; and if we do, you'll 

 have a bunch of cigars each." 



He could not have spoken more to the point, 

 and the crew looked a determination to " put him 

 on " to the first fish that showed himself. 



The breeze was so strong when we left the ves 

 del, that she could hardly carry her main top- 

 gallant sail. Yet when we had pulled the boat 

 to the spot near which the whales were ex- 

 pected to rise, we set our little boat-sail, a mere 



