'WHALE HUNTING WITH GUN AND CAMERA 



"Yes, he came up suddenly right under the bow; 

 but you'll have plenty of chances today if the wind 

 keeps down. Look at those birds; there must be 

 lots of feed." 



I was shivering in the raw morning air and ran 

 back to the cabin to get into a coat and shoes. I 

 found Captain Grahame about to come on deck. He 

 laughed when he saw my scanty dress, saying: 



"You camera fellows would rather run the risk of 

 catching your death of cold than miss a picture, 

 wouldn't you!" 



I assured him, through chattering teeth, that pneu- 

 monia had no terrors when whales were in sight, but 

 made haste to pull on my heavy varsity sweater and 

 high boots. Sorenson was leisurely reloading the gun 

 when I went forward and the humpback, blowing 

 every few seconds, could be seen far ahead. 



When the bomb had been filled with powder and the 

 *fuse string adjusted, the Engineer started the winch 

 and the line was reeled slowly in. The animal resisted 

 in a half-hearted way at first, but soon gave up and 

 was drawn close to the ship. I stood just back of the 

 harpoon platform, with camera focused, waiting to 

 see Sorenson whirl the gun about for the second 

 shot, but instead of doing so he called for the lance 

 and made ready to kill the whale from the bow. 



Leaning far out over the side, the Gunner watched 

 his opportunity and plunged the slender rod of steel 

 deep into the lungs, stabbing again and again with all 

 his strength. The animal gave a hoarse, coughing 

 blow and tried to dive, the blood welling in great red 



168 



