WHALING 523 



pooneer of the fast boat, when his lines are nearly out, casts 

 the remaining few fathoms overboard, the fast flag is struck on 

 the first boat (which then becomes a loose boat), raised on the 

 second boat, and the harpooneers change boats. 



The harpooneer who first fastened the fish changes from 

 boat to boat as the different boats' lines are attached and 

 taken out, until the fish is either killed or lost. Whales some- 



COILING LINE 



times run out a great quantity of line, particularly if they take 

 to the ice, where the boat is unable to follow them, in which 

 case the vessel will perhaps come up and the lines will be 

 brought on board. Fish have been known to tow the ship 

 and boats at the rate of two or three miles an hour. 



Having set aside the five or six fathoms of stray line, and 

 been very careful to take all turns out of the lines, you begin 



