106 TEE CRUISE OF THE " CACHALOTr 



increased glory, while the freshness and invigorating feel 

 of the air was inexpressibly delightful. 



We did not court danger by hugging too closely any 

 of the ugly reefs and banks that abound in this notably 

 difficult strait, but gave them all a respectfully wide 

 berth. It was a feature of our navigation that, unless 

 we had occasion to go near any. island or reef for fishing 

 or landing purposes, we always kept a safe margin of 

 distance away, which probably accounts for our con- 

 tinued immunity from accident while in tortuous waters. 

 Our anchors and cables were, however, always kept 

 ready for use now, in case of an unsuspected current 

 or sudden storm ; but beyond that precaution, I could 

 see little or no difference in the manner of our primitive 

 navigation. 



We met with no "luck" for some time, and the faces 

 of the harpooners grew daily longer, the great heat of 

 those sultry waters trying all tempers sorely. But 

 Captain Slocum knew his business, and his scowling, 

 impassive face showed no sign of disappointment, or 

 indeed any other emotion, as day by day we crept 

 farther north. At last we sighted the stupendous peak of 

 Comoro mountain, which towers to nearly nine thousand 

 feet from the little island which gives its name to the 

 Comoro group of four. On that same day a school of 

 medium-sized sperm whales were sighted, which appeared 

 to be almost of a different race to those with which we 

 had hitherto had dealings. They were exceedingly fat 

 and lazy, moving with the greatest deliberation, and, 

 when we rushed in among them, appeared utterly 

 bewildered and panic-stricken, knowing not which way 

 to flee. Like a flock of frightened sheep they huddled 

 together, aimlessly wallowing in each other's way, 



