A CHASE. 



255 



still more interesting, the whale of which they were in 

 pursuit. 



For a considerable time the chase was continued before 

 either of the boats could approach sufficiently near to the 

 leviathan to enable the harpooner to deliver his deadly 

 weapon. Never did I experience more tremulous anxiety 



WHALE FISHING. 



than during the time that the whale appeared to be 

 coquetting and alternately alluring and disappointing his 

 pursuers ; sometimes displaying his unwieldy bulk on the 

 surface of the water, lying apparently in a state of insensi- 

 bility, then diving out of sight, leaving the blue waters 

 foaming white behind him. 



The instant he descended into the water both boats' 

 crews rowed with all their might towards the spot where 



