THE SEA-SEKPENT. 1 J 9 



drove it in with both hands, till the skiff recoiled 

 with the force of the blow. Thirty fathoms of rope, 

 attached to the harpoon, had been wound round a 

 cask, which was now thrown overboard, and the 

 cask began to spin around in a marvellous manner, 

 until the whole line was unwound, when it went 

 bobbing under and reappearing, with the rapid or 

 slower movement of the fish. 



Three cheers went up from the assembled sports- 

 men at the execution of this daring feat ; and high 

 hopes were entertained that they would succeed in 

 capturing the whale. The fish, meanwhile, floun- 

 dered and plunged, and lashed the water with his 

 powerful fluke, whirling over while on the surface, 

 until the rope was observed to be twisted several 

 times round his body, while the staff was seen 

 sticking from his throat. The sportsmen, in their 

 three boats, followed closely in his wake, waiting 

 for him to exhaust himself, and in the interim, 

 betook themselves to breakfast. Suddenly, the 

 cask became motionless. They approach, pull 

 upon the line, and, to their deep mortification, 

 discover that the harpoon had drawn out. 



"Now is my turn/' said Captain John; and, 

 taking his place in the skiff, he repeated the 

 exploit of Captain George -struck a fish with 

 great force, which, like his predecessor, contrived, 



