WHALING IN THE BAY. 121 



to blow, and again and again. We are 

 now very near him, and the fifth time he 

 seems to the novice to present a capital 

 shot, being less than a rod distant. The 

 noise of his blowing is like a locomotive 

 letting off steam, and we can trace the 

 outline of his vast body long after he has 

 disappeared beneath the surface. On 

 board there is the intensest excitement. 

 The 'captain and mate, standing far out on 

 the bowsprit-like bridge, with guns in 

 hand, share ' the excitement. Will the 

 whale blow again? That is the all-impor- 

 tant question which agitates us. If he 

 does it will be our last chance, as it 

 will be his sixth blowing. But the sus- 

 pense is of short duration. Just ahead of 

 us his head comes slowly into view. At 

 full speed we dash up alongside, and before 

 his ponderous body is again submerged 

 two bomb-lances enter it just behind 

 the left shoulder. We are at once all on 

 the alert, listening for the explosion of the 

 lance. We hear nothing but the dashing 

 of the waves against the steamer's sides, 



