156 THE FINAL CAPTURE. 



so that the only chance of success is to tire it out. This is 

 a critical moment for the creAv in the boat, who are exposed 

 to the most violent blows of the w^iale's head or fins, and 

 still more of the tail, the tremendous power of which has 

 been mentioned. The moment that the wounded whale dis- 

 appears, a flag is displayed in the boat, at sight of which 

 those who are on w^atch in the ship give the alarm by stamp- 

 ing on the deck, and those of the crew who are sleeping be- 

 low, hastily throwing on a few clothes, launch the boats, 

 and proceed to the assistance of their companions. 



The greatest care is necessary by the boatman who has 

 charge of the rope, in letting out and guiding the line to 

 which the harpoon is attached. Should it be entangled for 

 a moment, the whale would draw the boat beneath the 

 weaves. The time a wounded Avhale remains under water is 

 generally half an hour, but some stay much longer. The 

 boats take up a position near which it is likely to rise, when 

 each harpooner strikes his weapon into the animal, and long 

 and sharp lances are thrust into its side, until, exhausted 

 with the loss of blood, the whale gives signs of approaching 

 death by discharging blood from the blow-holes or nostrils, 

 sometimes drenching the ice, boats, and men with it. As 

 the huge animal plunges along in agony, its course is 

 marked by a broad line of oil on the sea, issuing from its 

 wounds. 



The final capture is generally preceded by an awful and 

 convulsive struggle ; the tail lashes the water with fury, and 

 the circles formed on the surface of the violently agitated 

 waves extend to a great distance. When dying, the whale 

 turns over on its side or back, a circumstance announced 

 from the boats by loud cries and striking the flags. No 

 time is lost : the tail is pierced and fastened with ropes to 

 the boats, which drag the carcass to the ships with bois- 

 terous cheers. 



A curious instance is related of a Dutch whaling crew. 



