140* WHALING AND FISHING. 



! ioats in those seas, and that it would not do to be 

 beaten altogether. 



We had already talked the matter over among 

 ourselves, and determined to do our best, and nol 

 be beaten if we could prevent it. I think there 

 was not one of our fellows that did not wish the 

 whales in Tophet, or that did not already think 

 of our crew as beaten. Nevertheless, "never say 

 die while there is a shot in the locker," is a motto 

 upon which we determined to act,. and so each 

 man gathered up his strength for the encounter. 



The Betsy Ann's crew, meantime, had been 

 busied in preparations for lowering, ever and anon 

 casting a meaning half-smile toward the spot in 

 the waist where we had gathered together. They 

 evidently feared not the result they made sure 

 of an easy victory over the greenies. 



The whales were nearly ahead, and when we 

 should lower, would be about half a mile nearer 

 to the Betsy Ann than to our vessel. We had 

 therefore the best chance, although the others had 

 the weathergauge. 



When within a mile and a half of the school, 

 the vessel was hove to. Every boat was instantly 

 lowered and manned, and we at once stretched 

 away for the whales. Our ship's boats had low- 

 ered a little before us, and were coming down 

 from the windward upon the whales, straining 

 every nerve to get upon them before we should, 

 We had scarcely pulled two hundred yards, how- 



