4 1 2 Notes on Sp07't and Travel v 



increased rapidity, till it reaches the sea with a 

 crash that makes the blue water break up into white 

 spray, and the spray into white foam, which goes 

 drifting down the wind like the smoke from a heavy 

 gun. Again, and again, and again ; slowly and 

 rhythmically, with a sense of intensity and power 

 about it that makes one fancy that were even the 

 iron Northuvibria within reach of one of these mighty 

 cuts, she would be cloven to the very keel. 



It is very grand. What could give one a greater 

 idea of unlimited animal force, backed by uncon- 

 trolled animal ferocity ? How odd it is, however, 

 that watching through the binocular, we should only 

 see one of these silver sabres, and that one always 

 of the same curve apparently ; one and one only. 

 What known animal carries such a solitary weapon 

 anywhere about him ? And, moreover, if it be a 

 fair fight, on what are those terrible blows descending ? 



Ah, look at those mighty black whale-flukes 

 twelve feet and more across, with their white 

 marbled undersides gleaming in the sun, lashing the 

 water close by. They must belong to a very big bull 

 whale, and how awfully he must be catching it ! The 

 spray flies to heaven like the smoke of a furnace. 



But why, as we watch him, does he continue to 

 stand on his head, and kick up such a confounded 

 churning with this tail of his ? Is he the last of the 

 Soors, or the Asoors, brewing another Amrieta cup 

 of immortality ? And if not, why does he remain 

 within reach of his tormentor, instead of running 



