148 WHALING AND FISHING. 



islets, aud having at last fixed upon a suitable 

 place where to commence operations, were about 

 to return on board, when the mate said, 



" Trim aft, Tom, there's a good breeze, fair 

 Doming and going, and we'll take a look at the 

 mainland." Accordingly, the boat's head was 

 laid shoreward, and we spread ourselves out at 

 full length upon the thwarts, enjoying an unu- 

 sual treat of some cigars which our chief officer 

 had good naturedly brought with him. 



When within about a mile and a half of the 

 main land, we found the water shoaling, being 

 then not more than three fathoms eighteen feet 

 deep. 



"I saw black skin glisten in the sun just then," 

 said the boatsteerer, who was aft, the mate having 

 stretched himself upon the bow thwart to take a 

 nap. 



"It was nothing but a puffing pig," said he 

 drowsily. 



" There it is again, and no puffing pig either 

 nor porpoise nor no," said he with some degree 

 of animation "nor anything else that wears 

 black skin that / ever saw before." 



This had the effect of rousing us up, every one 

 casting his eyes ahead to catch a sight, of the 

 luestionable "black skin." 



" There he blows ! ' " and there again ! " " and 

 over here too," said several voices in succession. 



"It ain't a spout at all, boys, let's puF. up and 

 see what is " 



