THE GREYHOUND OF THE SEA 



and in the morning when I heard the sudden roar of 

 the harpoon-gun and felt the vessel tremble under the 

 shock I started up hardly knowing whether I was 

 awake or not. But the rattling winch and the thump- 

 ing of the line made certain that it was no dream. 



The whale is made fast to the bow by a heavy chain and the ship 

 starts on the long tow to the station. 



Catching up camera and plate holders, I scrambled 

 through the companionway, forgetting in my haste 

 that I was without coat or shoes. Sure enough, we 

 were fast to a humpback which was visible about one 

 hundred fathoms away, swimming high out of water 

 and blowing frequently. When I reached the bridge, 

 the Mate, who was at the wheel, said : 



167 



