Awkward Predicament. 161 



which, in duty bound, I reported to my harpooneer, 

 who pronounced it to be a " monstrous big fish with 

 its sucker" (young one) . Away we went in chase, 

 another boat in company. Having judged, from 

 observing the way in which she was heading, which 

 way she would rise, we lay on our oars and waited 

 for her. Our plan was skilfully ordered, for she 

 rose close to Harky Hunter, who, pulling quietly 

 up, got his harpoon in, we all yelling at the top of 

 our voices, " A fall ! a fall ! " But though so easily 

 struck, she was not so easily killed, and proved 

 herself to be a most troublesome and awkward 

 customer. After about three-quarters of an hour's 

 hard pulling, chasing her round and round the fast 

 boat, the men being so fatigued as nearly to drop 

 at their oars, we succeeded in getting close up and 

 gave her another harpoon ; immediately on receipt 

 of which she flew off at a terrific rate, towing the 

 two boats at least six knots an hour, and taking the 

 line out with such velocity that water had con- 

 tinually to be thrown over the lines and over the 

 bollard head, round which three turns had been 

 taken, the bows of the boat being enveloped in 

 smoke caused by the friction. We had a very near 

 shave one time of being taken down altogether. 

 The fish having stopped to blow for a few minutes, 

 the line, which, from the extreme friction, had 

 burnt a deep scar round the bollard, had cooled and 

 adhered to the wood. The fish suddenly took it 



