234 WHALING AND BEAR-HUNTING 



works to windward and made many hundreds per cent, 

 profit for years, and the Tonsberg people only got the smell 

 Now, however, there are very few men in Southern Norway 

 who do not have shares in one modern whaling company 

 or another, and the island of Nottero, for example, in 

 the south of Norway, is dotted with pretty homesteads, 

 owned by successful whaling owners, captains and mates. 

 There they call whaling an Industry. Here, even though 

 we tell of eighty per cent, dividends running for years, it 

 is called a Speculation. 



But to come back to our whales. Whilst enjoying the 

 sun through the mist and the intense stillness we heard a 

 deep growl or groan, something like a bear or a cow, a deep 

 note which seemed to come from the floe across the little bay 

 I have mentioned. Peering into the sunlight track, on the 



water we noticed forms moving and more groans came from 

 these Narwhals they are ! and away we go, get the gun 

 uncovered and two '475 shells in the breech of the big rifle, 

 and just as* we came to the place where they were, there they 

 are no more, only an oily swirl on the faint ripples. So we 

 lie on our oars and by-and-by they appear again down the ice- 

 edge seven or eight. I practise laying the gun and harpoon 

 on to them and fondly hope I may get within range. Then 

 comes the chief of the clan, a glorious fellow ; how I do 

 desire to own the great horn which I see for a moment. 

 Next time he comes upj feel sure I shall let go, and have the 

 gun ready, feet spread out and the line all clear. But they 

 are gone ! off under the ice, and again we lie idly waiting. 

 Then Archie whistles from the ship and signals that he has 

 seen them out seawards and away we go, and as usual arrive 

 at firing distance just as they " tail up " for their long dive. 



