288 TEE CRUISE OF THE " CACHALOT.^ 



from tlae captain's bands Lack into our midst, where it 

 struck the tub oarsman, splitting his bead in two halves. 

 The horror of the tragedy, the enveloping darkness, the 

 inexplicable revivifying of the monster, which we could 

 not have doubted to be dead, all combined to stupefy 

 and paralyze us for the time. Not a sound was beard 

 in our boat, though the yells of inquiry from our com- 

 panion craft arose in increasing volume. It was but 

 a brief accession of energy, only lasting two or three 

 minutes, when the whale collapsed finally. Having 

 recovered from our surprise, we took no further chances 

 with so dangerous an opponent, but bored him as full 

 of holes as a colander. 



Mournful and miserable were the remaining hours 

 of our vigil. We sat around poor Miguel's corpse with 

 unutterable feelings, recalling all the tragical events of 

 the voyage, until we reached the nadir of despondency. 

 With the rosy light of morning came more cheerful 

 feelings, heightened by the close proximity of the ship, 

 from which it is probable we had never been more than 

 ten miles distant during the whole night. She had 

 sighted us with the first light, and made all sail down to 

 us, all hands much relieved at our safety. We were 

 so sorely exhausted that we could hardly climb on board ; 

 and how we hoisted the boats, I hardly know. The whale 

 was secured by the efforts of the cripples we had left on 

 board, while we wayfarers, after a good meal, were 

 allowed four hours' spund, sweet sleep. 



When we returned to our duties, the first thing that 

 awaited us was the burial of the poor body. Very 

 reverently were the last sad offices performed, the flag 

 hoisted half-mast, the bell solemnly tolled. Then we 

 gathered at the gangway while the eternal words of 

 hope and consolation were falteringly read, and with a 



