THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 951 
the elevation of the tail into the air is announced 
in the same manner by “There goes flukes!” The 
reason of these announcements appears to be, that 
the times of the animal’s motions may be accurately 
marked by the proper officers, though they may not 
see them themselves, as affording an unfailing cri. 
terion by which to judge of his future movements. 
On the first signal being given, the boats, which are 
always kept in complete readiness at the ship’s side, 
are lowered, and the men take their places with joy- 
ous alacrity. If not too far off, they strain every 
nerve to arrive at the animal before his spoutings 
are out, which in a large bull Whale may be about 
ten minutes. Should they be unable, however, to 
effect this, they endeavour to mark his direction of 
diving, and station themselves near the spot where 
they expect he will break water. On his reappear- 
ance, the boats are rowed up as silently as possible, 
and the foremost harpooner darts his weapon with 
all his force into his side. The instant this is done 
he cries, “Stern all!” and the boat is withdrawn with 
precipitation. The Whale, writhing with the agony, 
dives perpendicularly, drawing the line of the har- 
poon swiftly through its groove: the other boats 
are ready to bend on their lines, each of which is 
two hundred fathoms long; for sometimes a Whale 
will drag after him four lines descending to the 
depth of 4800 feet. Presently he is seen approach- 
ing the surface: “The gurgling and bubbling water, 
which rises before, also proclaims that he is near; 
his nose starts from the sea; the rushing spout is 
projected high and suddenly, from his agitation.” 
