56 THE WHALE HUNTERS 



knew that the Indian had died ; they might even suspect 

 Sykes but it was evident that they had no real proof. 



When Joseph came below at the changing of the watch 

 Jonathan leant over the edge of his hammock and whis- 

 pered anxiously, 'Is there any sign of whale yet?' 



Joseph smiled. 'No, Jonathan, and even if there were 

 we would not be able to hunt in this weather.' His 

 smiling face became suddenly grave. 'I know you are 

 still troubled about the superstitions of that fellow Sykes, 

 but it often happens that a ship does not sight a whale for 

 weeks together and then a malady known as whale sick- 

 ness comes over the company and they fall prey to any 

 kind of foolish talk. Be of good cheer, Jonathan, for we 

 are bound to find whale soon and then these chummies 

 will have no time for Sykes and his superstitions. Chimoo 

 and his two kinsmen hate the man and I am sure that it is 

 not merely because he cheated their tribe.' 



Once again Jonathan pushed aside the impulse to tell 

 Joseph the truth. 



Joseph tousled the boy's fair curls and then playfully 

 pulled him out of his hammock on to the deck and as they 

 rolled over and over in a mock wrestling match Chimoo 

 descended the companionway. 



'Jonathan call Chimoo if he want help,' said the 

 Indian showing his fine white teeth in a grin. 



Jonathan glanced up from under his opponent's elbow. 



'Perhaps I shall when I really need you, Chimoo,' he 

 panted. 



As soon as the wind abated the Pilgrim felt her way out 

 into the open waters of the Davis Straits where a line of 

 five icebergs sat sedate and unmoved by the high swell 

 that still rolled down from the north. As Jonathan stood 

 upon the bows fascinated by their monumental aloofness 

 the sun suddenly shone through the clouds and changed 

 their colour from a cold flat white to blue and gold. He 

 watched the ever present fulmars wheeling around the 



