196 THE WHALE AND 



Steering and Rowing at once. Portuguese left in the Rear. 



neighbors also had been on the alert. A well- 

 manned boat from each ship was in the chase. 



" These ships laying somewhat in advance, 

 we found they had the advantage of from fifteen 

 to forty rods the start of us. Speaking a few 

 words of encouragement to the men, we were 

 soon passing over the water with a velocity 

 which is hardly conceivable to a landsman. 

 The American whaleman is the only man who 

 never turns his head to look while in the chase 

 of a whale that part belongs to the boat-steer- 

 er. They are thus enabled to give their whole 

 energy to the oar, laying themselves to the 

 work with a hearty good will. Placing the 

 palm of my left hand under the abaft oar, while 

 with my right I guided the boat, and at each 

 stroke threw a part of my weight against it, 

 our boat would ' skim the water like a thing of 

 life.' 



" A few moments from the start brought us 

 up with the Portuguese. The crews of the dif- 

 ferent ships witnessing the chase, the excite- 

 ment was tremendous. Our shipmates cheer- 

 ed us as we came up with the first boat, and as 

 we passed, the whale again made its appear- 

 ance. Singing out to the men, l There she 



