40 Excitement on Board. 



readiness for an instant departure. All the men 

 appeared to have gone suddenly distracted, and 

 were tearing about the decks half dressed, with 

 their boots in one hand and a bundle of clothes in 

 the other. Four boats were ordered to be lowered, 

 and despatched with instructions to spread in dif- 

 ferent directions, the more readily to strike another 

 harpoon into the whale when it next rose to blow. 

 Meanwhile the fast boat l had hoisted its jack, 2 to 

 denote that it was fast, a second boat pulling up at 

 once in order to bend on their own lines if neces- 

 sary. The fish, on being struck, had, as anticipated 

 and feared, made for the ice. 



We in the ship, having steam at our command, 

 immediately followed, steering for the pack, which 

 we shortly entered ; and then ensued a scene which 

 almost baffles description. It was blowing a stiff 

 breeze, and there was rather a heavy swell on at 

 the time. The fast boat had been brought to a 



1 In the whale fishery, any boat which has a harpoon into a 

 whale is denominated a " fast boat," all others " loose boats." 

 So also with the whales : one that has been struck is called a 

 " fast fish," others " loose fish." Should the line break and 

 the harpoon still remain in the whale, it is a " loose fish," and 

 may become the prize of any other ship, notwithstanding the 

 harpoon, with the vessel's name engraved on it, being imbedded 

 in its flesh. 



2 A fishing flag or jack is always displayed by every boat 

 that is fast to a fish. 



