216 THE CRUISE OF TEE " CACHALOT» 



went before asking to have him promoted. My chance, 

 and his, came very promptly ; so nicely arranged, too, 

 that I could not have wished for anything better. The 

 skipper had got a fine, healthy boil on one knee-cap, and 

 another on his wrist, so that he was, as you may say, 

 hors de combat. While he was impatiently waiting to 

 get about once more, sperm whales were raised. Although 

 " nearly frantic with annoyance, he was compelled to leave 

 the direction of things to Mr. Cruce, who was quite 

 puffed up with the importance of his opportunity. 



Such a nice little school of cow-whales, a lovely breeze, 

 clear sky, warm weather — I felt as gay as a lark at the 

 prospect. As we were reaching to windward, with all 

 boats ready for lowering, the skipper called me aft and 

 said, " Naow, Mr. Bullen, I cain't lower, because of this 

 condemned leg 'n arm of mine ; but how'r yew goin' ter 

 manage 'thout a harpooneer ? " I suggested that if he 

 would allow me to try Samuela, who was suffering for 

 a chance to distinguish himself, we would " come out 

 on top." " All right," he said; " but let the other boats 

 get fast first, 'n doan be in too much of a hurry to tie 

 yerself up till ye see what's doin'. If everythin's 

 goin' bizness-fashion', 'n yew git a chance, sail right in ; 

 yew got ter begin some time. But ef thet Kanaka looks 

 skeered goin' on, take the iron frum him ter onct." I 

 promised, and the interview ended. 



When I told Samuela of his chance, he was beside 

 himself with joy. As to his being scared, the idea was 

 manifestly absurd. He was as pleased with the prospect 

 as it was possible for a man to be, and hardly able to 

 contain himself for impatience to be off. I almost envied 

 him his exuberant delight, for a sense of responsibility 

 began to weigh upon me with somewhat depressing effect. 



