274 3IARINE MAMMALS OF THE NORTH-WESTERN COAST. 



tackles wore hooked to tlie cables, then led aft, and secured to the mainmast, to 

 relieve the strain that would otherwise come on the windlass. In this way a 

 succession of severe blows were ridden out in safety ; and during the intervals of 

 good weather, whaling was carried on with such vigor, that, before the season was 

 over, botli ships departed for home with full cargoes. 



Pvight-whaling in the Indian Ocean, and the taking of Sea Elephants upon the 

 shores of Kerguelen's Land, was a special branch of the oil commerce, which, to a 

 great extent, was prosecuted by the New Londoners, their main dependence being 

 the catch of Sea Elephants ; consequently there was but little attention paid to 

 wdialing while making the passage from home, and on their return, the vessels 

 being full, precluded the usual routine of standing mast-heads, and the casual 

 "lowering for whales." When outward bound, however, a spirited chase, attack, 

 and capture, woidd sometimes be made upon a shoal of Cachalots, although 

 the boats were in no wise well prepared. An episode of the kind occurred many 

 years ago with a large ship on her way to Desolation. When off the island of St. 

 Helena, a school of Sperm Whales was descried ; but none of the boats were 

 properly fitted, and some had not a line coiled. Among the officers was one (a 

 favorite, both among men and after -guard, as well as the owners at home) who was 

 by his messmates familiarly dubbed "Jube." Jubo was a fine t3'pe of a mariner — 

 muscular (or, as Jack expressed it, "well put up"), ready for an adventure of any 

 kind, made tlie best of everything, could hold on to a Right Whale when running 

 to windward around the Crozets (and the ship under doul;)le- reefs), and counted 

 it a laughable joke if all hands in the boats were drenched to the skin "afore he 

 could git the critter mauger." At this time his boat had no line prepared ; but 

 jumping below, he seized a new coil, tumbled it into his boat, and, with a single 

 harpoon and lance, lowered away with the other boats in quick pursuit. The 

 whales were down; but when they came up, his boat had "the chance." "Pull 

 ahead, my hearties!" he shouted; "a fool for luck, and a poor man for babies!" 

 and in a moment more they were fast. The whale sounded ; and away went the 

 line, tearing and smoking through the "chocks," till it became kinked and tangled, 

 when, in his efforts to clear it, he was taken overboard, and disappeared beneath 

 the waves ; but a moment after the harpoon loosened from the whale. Slowly 

 the crew hauled in the forded line, bemoaning the loss of their officer ; but as 

 they dj-ew it in, they found him clinging to it, where it wound around his body. 

 He was quickly released, and laid in the boat for dead, when they hastened to the 

 ship, where the captain at once made every effort to restore him to life; and, to 

 the great joy of all, he was soon resuscitated. He was well cared for, and, with a 



