38 Autobiography of a Sperm Whale 



The long, steady journey of thousands of miles, straight 

 as the dolphin leaps, without molestation, with only 

 the happy company of our own people, and the long, 

 pleasant days when, free from the necessity of watchful- 

 ness, we take our fill of love, of food, and of sportive 

 gambols : ah ! these are the things that make our life 

 in the deep, the beautiful sea, thrice happy. 



There be many things about us that none can ever 

 know but ourselves ; our sickness, which produces 

 matter treasured by the greedy earthmen ; our length 

 of days ; our small brains, but great intelligence — these 

 are of the deep-sea secrets that pigmy man shall never 

 understand. But to you, my friend, because you have 

 loved us and striven to do us justice, I have revealed 

 thus much, in the hope that the knowledge may bring 

 you joy. And so, farewell ! 



