152 SPORT IN NORTH AMERICA. 



every true whaler, liowever accustomed lie may be 

 to hear them — " A whale ! A right whale I There 

 she blows!" There he was, sure enough, the 

 monster whose arrival had been announced to me 

 by the pilot. Stranded on the bank, whither he 

 had arrived from the seas of Labrador, attracted by 

 some unknown cause, the monster (sick perhaps, 

 and unable to make further way) had given himself 

 up to the chapter of accidents. The tide had left 

 him dry the evening before, but with the flow he 

 had got once more afloat and was trying to find his 

 way into the open sea. 



I should have mentioned that the crew of the 

 Jackson had been informed of the object of the 

 voyage as soon as the ship had got into the middle 

 of New York Bay; there was great excitement, 

 therefore, as soon as the whale was signalled. It 

 was something more than spoil to be taken posses- 

 sion of: it was a combat about to commence. 



The ship advanced and was soon within a cannon- 

 shot of the giant of Labrador, who was throwing up 

 two spouts of water through his vents, and seemed 

 to be in excellent case, for the moment at any rate. 



" To your boats," cried the captain wdio had the 

 management of the capture ; and every man was at 

 his post and the whale-boats were lowered into the 

 sea. The captains of the boats took the helms ; the 

 harpooners in front arranged their formidable 

 weapons, rowing at the same time; and the flotilla 



