1 8 Autobiography of a Sperm Whale 



for swallowing. These pieces were upon the same 

 colossal scale as himself, and slipped down his gullet 

 with an easy celerity that was pleasant to see. No 

 one was selfish. The prey of one was the prey of all, 

 and a certain gigantic courtesy prevented any in- 

 dividual from appropriating more than his actual 

 share. But suddenly into the midst of these mys- 

 terious delights there thrust itself an imperative 

 command to seek air. We can and do remain in the 

 depths for as much as one hour, according to our size, 

 but the length of time we stay down is always care- 

 fully calculated according to the need of the youngest 

 member of the party. Ah ! the swift rush upward, 

 impelled seemingly by the whole weight of the ocean 

 beneath. Ah ! the blissful emergence into brightness 

 most dazzhng, and the simultaneous opening of aU 

 spiracles. Oh ! the sweet rush of heaven's air through 

 the quivering nostrils into the labouring lungs. Indeed, 

 it is good to endure privation of air for a season if only 

 to realise how lavish of His choicest gifts is the 

 Power that sways us aU. 



Then to lie basking again, feeling that sweet breath, 

 the true essence of hfe, coursing through every artery, 

 tingling in every muscle, making one feel as if nothing 

 but action, swift, tremendous, exhausting, could 

 satisfy the exuberant needs of the body. Oh ! the 

 delight of just being alive. Is it any wonder that 

 even our majestic chief, yielding to the overmastering 

 needs of such an influx of life, suddenly forgot his 

 dignity, rushed like a tidal wave along the glowing 

 surface of the ocean, and hurled his whole vast bulk 

 towards the sky by the exercise of a force beyond 

 calculation. After that one stupendous exhibition 

 of power all lay in almost utter quiet, content so to lie. 

 The sun went down, the moon rose up and the pleasant 



