A DEEP-SEA SPERM WHALE HUNT 



was just a breath of air stirring, so up went the sail and 

 we paddled as noiselessly as aborigines upon our quarry. 



There seemed to be whales everywhere, as far as the eye 

 could reach, and all tame just rolling and snorting in the 

 water they lay in; once in a while one would jump like a 



A posterior view of the Museum's sperm whale. Longitudinal 

 cuts have been made through the blubber revealing the flesh 

 beneath. 



trout and make a splash like a waterfall, just to amuse 

 himself. 



At last we got close to one that suited us, and the boats 

 went on head and head ; there was not wind enough to 

 manage with the sail, and dipping with the paddle was un- 

 desirable for it might result in a scare, so we lay perfectly 

 still, right in his course, and on he came. 



The harpooner stood up with his darting gun and iron, 



241 



