242 THE OCEAN. 



now, that another chance awaited them on the next 

 rising of the Whale, and they soon began to separate 

 themselves a little, and to row onwards again in the 

 course which they thought he had taken. Our cap- 

 tain, feeling irritated at the ill-success of the mate, 

 now ordered his own boat to be lowered, intending to 

 make one in the chase himself ; but, just as he had 

 parted from the ship, going do^vn a little to leeward, 

 a tremendous shout arose from the people in our own 

 boats, joined with a loud murmuring from the rest 

 of the boats' crews ; for the Whale, not having had 

 all its spoutings out, had now risen again to iinish 

 them, and was coming to windward at a quick rate, 

 right towards our ship. The captain saw his favour- 

 able situation in a moment, and passing quickly to 

 the bows of the boat, he stood to waylay him as he 

 came careering along, throwing his enormous head 

 completely out of the water, for he was now quite 

 ' gallied.' He soon came, and caught a sight of the 

 boat just as he got within dart ; the vast animal 

 rolled himself over in an agony of fear, to alter his 

 course ; but it was too late ; the harpoon was hurled 

 with excellent aim, and was plunged deeply into his 

 side, near the fin. 



" As the immense creature almost flew out of the 

 water from the blow, throwing tons of spray high 

 into the air, showing that he was ' fast,' a triumphant 

 cheering arose from those in our own boats, as well 

 as from those in the ship, accompanied by exclama- 

 tions loud and deep, and not of the most favouiable 

 kind to us, from all the rest. But onwards they all 

 came, and soon cheerfully rendered assistance to 



