STOVE BOATS AND DEAD WHALES I5I 



Hodge, obviously hurt, was struggling feebly in the 

 tormented waters around the whale. 



'Any of you who can swim follow me,' said Thomas. 

 'Jamie, you can't, I know, so look after Sam.' 



He reached Hodge just in time but none of the others 

 were able to relinquish the support of the wreck to go to 

 the help of the other man. As he towed Hodge to safety 

 he could see the fellow now quietly holding on to a large 

 piece of wreckage ; but of the other four men there was 

 no sign. 



It was not until Hamm and Jacobs had killed their 

 whales that they fully realised the fate of their comrades. 

 When they saw what had happened they brought their 

 boats alongside and rescued all survivors from the sea in 

 which several sharks were already growing dangerously 

 curious. 



Two whales had been killed at the cost of five dead men 

 and two stove boats. The whaleboats were replaceable 

 but the Meribah would find herself short of men for the rest 

 of the voyage unless fresh volunteers could be found 

 among the natives of the Pacific islands. 



Two days later Hodge, lying in his bunk on board the 

 Meribah sent word by the cabin boy that he would like to 

 speak to Thomas. He looked up from under his band- 

 aged brow as the younger man entered the cabin. 



'Hamm has just told me that you saved my life, Oakley,' 

 he said gruffly, 'and I'd like to — to thank you.' 



Thomas said nothing. He was looking for the first 

 time at six miniature paintings on a shelf over Hodge's 

 bunk. 



The older man followed his gaze. 'They'll be thankful 

 too,' he said, 'even though they only see me for a few 

 months every four years.' 



'It's a long time to be away from your family,' said 

 Thomas. 



'Makes a man a bit crusty as he gets older,' said Hodge. 



