50 



Capture of a Whale. 



sioneer was again the lucky man, having struck a 

 fine fish, which was rapidly towing him towards the 

 edge of the pack ice. Our boats were soon in the 

 water, and in less than twenty minutes the unfortu- 

 nate fish had six harpoons buried in its body. In 

 the mean time I had retired below to complete my 

 toilet, the scanty manner in which I was attired 



Whale (Balcena Mysticetus). 



being ill adapted for remaining on deck with the 

 temperature four degrees below the freezing point. 

 On my return to the upper deck, the loose boats 

 were observed alongside their prey in the act of 

 administering with lances the coup de grace, on 

 receiving which the huge monster turned over on 

 its back and expired. The flags in the fast boats 

 were then struck amidst the cheers of the men both 

 in the boats and on board the ship. The loose boats 

 were at once recalled to the ship, their crews, after 

 the boats had been hoisted up, being busily em- 

 ployed in making the necessary preparations for 



