192 NEWFOUNDLAND 



loops round the huge member and fastens it securely to the 

 bows of the ship. The flukes of the tail are now cut off. 

 We decide to look for another whale, so the carcase must 

 be set afloat. To achieve this it is necessary to blow it 

 up with steam. This is effected by driving a sharp hollow 

 spear into the stomach ; to this is attached a long rubber 

 hose pipe which connects with the engines of the ship. The 

 whale is then blown up with steam. As soon as a sufficient 

 quantity has entered the iron pipe is withdrawn and the hole 

 plugged with tow. 



A long harpoon, on the top of which floats the Nor- 

 wegian flag, is now fixed to the carcase, and the floating 

 whale is cut adrift. The ensign can be seen twenty miles 

 away on a fine day. 



It took us about half-an-hour to find the big bull which 

 we had hunted in the morning, and for three hours we pur- 

 sued him relentlessly but without success. No other whales 

 appearing in sight, the captain considered it best to return 

 and take our "kill" to port, as decomposition takes place 

 rapidly in these large cetaceans. 



As we approached the carcase, Johanessen, who was stand- 

 ing beside me, suddenly exclaimed, " Look at the big shark ! " 



There, sure enough, was the ugly head of a large shark, 

 tearing off great strips of blubber from the breast of the 

 whale. My companion at once rushed for one of the long 

 stabbing lances, but ere he could use it the shark had slipped 

 off and disappeared. 



On the Labrador coast sharks and killers {Orca gladiator) 

 are so numerous and fierce that they will tear to pieces the 

 carcase of a floating whale in a very short time, so that 

 when a whale is shot it must be taken to the factory at once. 

 These wolves of the sea are so bold that they will tear at 



