234 TEE CRUISE OF THE " CACHALOT:* 



estimate, running in a direct easterly course for over two 

 hours, he suddenly sounded, without having given us the 

 ghost of a chance to " land him one where he lived." 

 Judging from his previous exertions, though, it was 

 hardly possible he would be able to stay down long, or 

 get very deep, as the strain upon these vast creatures at 

 any depth is astonishingly exhausting. After a longer 

 stay below than usual, when they have gone extra deep, 

 they often arrive at the surface manifestly " done up " 

 for a time. Then, if the whaleman be active and daring, 

 a few well-directed strokes may be got in which will 

 promptly settle the business out of hand. 



Now, when my whale sounded he was to all appearance 

 as frightened a beast as one could wish — one who had 

 run himself out endeavouring to get away from his 

 enemies, and as a last resource had dived into the 

 quietness below in the vain hope to get away. So I 

 regarded him, making up my mind to wait on him with 

 diligence upon his arrival, and not allow him to get 

 breath before I had settled him. But when he did 

 return, there was a mighty difference in him. He 

 seemed as if he had beeji getting some tips on the subject 

 from some school below where whales are trained to 

 hunt men ; for his first move was to come straight for 

 me with a furious rush, carrying the war into the 

 enemy's country with a vengeance. It must be remem- 

 bered that I was but young, and a comparatively new 

 hand at this sort of thing ; so when I confess that I felt 

 more than a little scared at this sudden change in 

 the tactics of my opponent, I hope I shall be excused. 

 Remembering, however, that all our lives depended on 

 keeping cool, I told myself that even if I was frightened 

 I must not go all to pieces, but compel myself to think 



