174 NEWFOUNDLAND 



"Oh, well," was the imperturbable answer, "then I check 

 line, and we see which is strongest, whale or rope. Perhaps 

 harpoon draws out." 



In the course of a minute the captain gave the order 

 to check the line. The strain now became terrific, the two- 

 inch rope straining and groaning as if it would burst. At 

 the same moment the little steamer leaped forward and raced 

 over the seas at about twelve miles an hour. There was a 

 feeling of intense exhilaration as we rushed northwards, the 

 spray flying from our bows as the ship leapt from crest to 

 crest in the heavy swell. I have enjoyed the rushes of 

 gallant thirty and even forty-pound salmon in heavy water on 

 the Tay, the supreme moments in an angler's life, but that was 

 mere child's play to the intense excitement which we now 

 experienced during the next three hours. To be in tow of a 

 wild whale is something to experience and remember to one's 

 dying day. You feel that you are alive, and that you are 

 there with the sport of kings. No wonder the Norwegians 

 are full of life, and the men, from the captain to the cook, 

 run to their several tasks with eyes and hearts aflame. This 

 is a trade which will stir the blood of the dullest clod, and 

 to men who are one and all the finest seamen in the world, 

 it is the very life and essence of the Viking nature. 



Three hours of this fierce race went on, and the whale 

 seemed as if it would take us to Iceland. The gallant Fin- 

 back was as fresh as ever when the captain gave the order, 

 "Quarter-speed astern." Another tremendous strain on the 

 rope, the churning of the backward-driving screw, and our 

 speed was at once reduced to lo knots. It was marvellous 

 the strength of the animal. The minutes and even the hours 

 fled by, still the great cetacean held on its northward course 

 without a check. Three hours went by ; then came the order, 



