AN UGLY WHALE. 227 



were we of disturbing the yet unconscious whale. 

 Now we were within dart. 



Why don't you throw your iron ? is a question 

 frowningly expressed upon every countenance. 



Giving the boat a last strong sweep around, so 

 as to bring her bows at right angles with his body, 

 the mate nods, us i sign to dart, and on the instant 

 a startled splash of the whale's flukes proclaims 

 that we are fast. 



Drawing a long breath, we grasped our oars 

 and backed water. The whale darted under the 

 boat, but did not sound to a great depth. All was 

 now noise and activity. 



" Haul in, he's not going to sound," cried the 

 mate. 



" Are those lances ready? " 



The lances were already out of their becket, and 

 in another moment were on their rests. The 

 whale, after lying for a few moments quite still 

 at the depth to which he had sounded, as we could 

 tell by our line, rose to the surface not far from 

 the stern of the boat, and " throwing his jaw off," 

 (as opening his mouth is called), darted about in 

 a circle, evidently preparing himself for mischief. 



As he swept in a circle around the boat, we were 

 compelled to follow him, turning the boat contin- 

 ually to keep her head on. The mate kept a 

 taut line on him, determined to lose no time 

 before lancing. But his gyrations did not afford 

 an opportunity. Twice he darted for the boat, 

 but each time sounded to a little depth before 



