THE AMERICAN WHALE-FISHERY. 257 



responded to. The boats are in readiness; they are "hoisted and swung;" and 

 when the time comes for "lowering," they are dropped into the water with every 

 man in his place. Springing to the oars, the boats bound over the waves ; and in 

 approaching the whale, the officer of the boat in advance carefully "cons" his little 

 craft, and orders the "harpooniersman" by word or motion, to stand ready, with his 

 weapon poised, as a rattling, rippling sound is heard, and a huge black form breaks 

 the water, with the harsh, ringing noise of its first respiration. Instantly the deadly 

 spear flies from ready hands, and plunges into the mammoth creature. The water 

 is lashed into a pyramid of bloody foam, the boat is "fast," and the whale in 

 vain endeavors to escape by running over the surface of the sea, then diving to 

 the depths below ; but its human pursuers still cling to the line attached to the 

 fatal harpoon. The whale rises again to the surface, in some degree exhausted. 

 Another boat approaches, and darts its murderous weapons, and the pursuit is con- 

 tinued with renewed vigor. When, at last, a vital part is pierced, the animal 

 deeply crimsons its pathway with its remaining life-blood, and lashes the sea into 

 clouds of spray in its dying contortions. Then follow wild cheers by the crews in 

 the boats ; while the ship bears down under reduced sail, and the whale is secured 

 by the ponderous fluke -chain. The boats are again hoisted, and all hands are on 

 board. Everyone is cheerful, and works with a will; up goes the cutting-gear, 

 and the implements are in readiness for cutting- in the whale. The officers being 

 on the cutting -stage, a few strokes with their spades, and the order is given to 

 "heave away." The men at the windlass heave around cheerily, to the tune of a 

 boisterous song, and the animal is soon stripped of its rich covering ; the decks 

 are cleaned up, the try- works are "started," and under the smoke of the torching 

 scrap -fire, amid the din of the cooper's hammer preparing the oil- casks, and the 

 general hum -drum incident to boiling out and stowing down. Jack spins his yarns 

 of past exploits, savoring of good luck and thrilling adventures. 



We have said that ill success brings its accompanying evils, which the captain 

 is obliged to contend with ; for, sometimes, when the whales are found in 

 plenty, through the selfish maneuvering of some oflicer with his boat's crew, the 

 chase may be a fruitless one. Good whalemen are full of the sportsman's spirit ; 

 and, like the buffalo hunters of the plains, they have no passion to pursue small 

 game ; and any marine animals inferior to the whale fail to lure them into the ex- 

 citing chase. Hence, when in hot pursuit, the impulse to become the captors is so 

 tempting, that many a valuable whale has been "gallied," through the reckless 

 strife of some boat- header, in his efforts to be first to strike the animal. A more 

 unfortunate state of affairs can hardly exist than "opposition whaling" by officers 



Mabine Mahhax-s.— 33. 



