and its importance made known, than one of the sailors, 

 a smart and enterprising fellow, stept forward and vo- 

 lunteered his services to strike it better in. Not at all 

 intimidated by tlie surprise which was manifested in 

 every countenance, by such a bold proposal, he pulled 

 out his pocket — knife, — leapt upon the back of 

 the living whale, — and immediately cut the 

 harpoon out, Stimulated by this couragous ex- 

 ample, one ofhis companions proceded to his 

 assistance. W hile one of tliem hauled upon the 

 1 i n e a n d h e 1 d i t i n li i s h a n d s, t h e o t h e r s e t h i s- 

 s h o u 1 d e r a g a i n s t tlieextreraity of the harpoon, 

 and though it was without a stock, he contri- 

 vedto strike itagain into the fishmoreeffectu 

 nlly than it was first. The fish was in motion 

 before they finished. After they got off its 

 back, it advanced a considerabledistance, brea- 

 king the ice all the way, and survived thi» 

 nncomrnon treatment fifteen or twentyminu- 

 tes, 



