186 THE WHALE AND 



Lancing Deep. Rising Quick. Sudden Expulsion. 



We pulled up to her, and I set my lance into 

 her life, as I thought, the whole length ; she 

 spouted a little thin blood. " You are not low 

 enough," said the captain ; "set your lance 

 lower down ; this fellow is deep, and you must 

 lance lower." 



The whale settled away under water after 

 she felt the lance, and I kept a look-out for her, 

 expecting she would break water near the head 

 of the boat. Pretty soon I saw her whiten 

 under water, and got my lance ready as soon 

 as she should come to the surface ; the next 

 moment I was flying in the air, and a moment 

 after was several fathoms under water. The 

 whale came up head foremost, hitting the boat 

 a tremendous knock under my feet, sending me 

 all flying. The captain at the same time 

 grabbed his steering oar, and overboard he 

 went also. 



Fortunately, I could swim well, and soon 

 came up to blow ; but I had hardly time to 

 spout, before I found that I was in a very dis- 

 agreeable situation. Putting out my arm to 

 swim, I hit the whale on his head, and at the 

 same time saw the boat three or four rods from 

 me. I confess I did not feel exactly right ; but 



