THE WHALE TRIBE. 195 



as a whale has often broken its line and escaped with the haipoon 

 sticking in its back, and been afterwards recaptured, apparently 

 none the worse for its adventure. In order to kill the whale the 

 fishermen have another weapon, called a " lance.'' This is a long, 

 slender, steel weapon, with a very sharp head, without barbs, as 

 the men have to withdraw the lance as fast as they can after it has 

 pierced a vital part. With these few and simple weapons the 

 fishers contrive to secure the monster of the waters — a beaudful 

 instance of the superiority of reason over brute strength ; for as 

 the expert angler secures a large and strong fish with a single hair, 

 utterly inadequate to bear half the weight of the creature it holds, 

 so the whale-fisher, with a few small weapons, achieves a task 

 which may be compared to a mouse attacking and killing a wolf 

 with a reel of thread and a crochet needle. 



The boats always approach the whale from behind, lest the 

 expected prey should see them and escape. When within a few 

 yards the harpooner throws his weapon at the whale, so as to pierce 

 through the mass of blubber, and hold fast in the flesh. The 

 wounded animal instantly dashes off, taking the line with it. 

 When it has been under water for some time, it is forced to come 

 to the surface to breathe. The fishers mark the place where it 

 rises, and thrust their long lances deep into its body, inflicting 

 mortal wounds. Blood mixed with water is now discharged from 

 the whale's nostrils or " blow-holes," a sure sign that it will soon 

 die. Presently streams of blood are thrown up, coloring the sea 

 and frequently drenching the crews of the boats, and after a few 

 violent struggles the whale turns over on its side and dies. 



The enormous carcass is now joyously towed to the ship 

 and preparations are made for " flensing," or cutting ofi' the useful 

 parts. Strong ropes are attached to the head and tail, and men 

 wearing shoes armed with spikes, to prevent slipping, commence 

 the process by fastening ropes to its head and tail. A strong 

 hook is then fixed into the fat near the neck, called the " kent," 

 as it is used for " kenting," or turning the whale over. In this 

 hook is fastened a rope, passing through a pulley at the mainmast 

 head, and fixed to a windlass on deck. The blubber is then taken 



