ABNERS WHALE. 77 



hard-won prize, in order to secure a line to him in a 

 better manner than at present for hauling him to the 

 Bhip. This was effected by cutting a hole through the 

 tough, gristly substance of the flukes with the short 

 "boat-spade," carried for the purpose. The end of the 

 line, cut off from the faithful harpoon that had held 

 it so long, was then passed through this hole and made 

 fast. This done, it was " Smoke-oh ! " The luxury of 

 that rest and refreshment was something to be grateful 

 for, coming, as it did, in such complete contrast to our 

 recent violent exertions. 



The ship was some three or four miles off to leeward, 

 so we reckoned she would take at least an hour and a 

 half to work up to us. Meanwhile, our part of the 

 performance being over, and well over, we thoroughly 

 enjoyed ourselves, lazily rocking on the gentle swell by 

 the side of a catch worth at least £800. During the 

 conflict I had not noticed what now claimed attention — 

 several great masses of white, semi-transparent-looking 

 substance floating about, of huge size and irregular 

 shape. But one of these curious lumps came floating 

 by as we lay, tugged at by several fish, and I immediately 

 asked the mate if he could tell me what it was and 

 where it came from. He told me that, when dying, the 

 cachalot always ejected the contents of his stomach, 

 which were invariably composed of such masses as we 

 saw before us ; that he believed the stuff to be portions 

 of big cuttle-fish, bitten off by the whale for the purpose 

 of swallowing, but he wasn't sure. Anyhow, I could haul 

 this piece alongside now, if I liked, and see. Secretly 

 wondering at the indifference shown by this ofiicer of 

 forty years' whaling experience to such a wonderful fact 

 as appeared to be here presented, I thanked him, and. 



