HUMP-BACK WHALE IN NATAL WATERS. 59 



about them. After coming up for air and to enable them to 

 dive down again, both pectorals were used for this purpose, and 

 I observed further that the tail, by the various twists it gave, 

 proved what a disadvantage the Whale was put to, and the exer- 

 tion necessary to bring this about. 



For nearly one hour we had been cruising in and out ol 

 this large " school " or company of Whales, and having slowed 

 down took things easy, but it was some time before the captain 

 (who all along had been scanning the sea with his glasses) 

 had fixed upon the object of his choice, when with full speed 

 ahead we swung, as it were, sharply round — and these little 

 steamers can move, as I shall presently relate. A large Hump- 

 back — or, as it is known to the men, " Knoe " — appeared a 

 short distance off, but I could see half of its proportions only. 

 We made for the crest where it had just disappeared, but the 

 * Ornen ' overshot her mark by a few yards, and we waited 

 again, rocking gently to and fro. The captain, having once 

 more taken up his duties, showed his great impatience by swing- 

 ing the harpoon — a manner I have noticed among good shots — 

 and every ripple was watched for the Whale's whereabouts. Its 

 reappearance was a matter of but a few minutes. Away to star- 

 board a watery depression appeared, caused by some disturbance 

 beneath, and to this we made, when with a great snort it 

 emerged, somewhat raising its head, perhaps to enable it to see 

 what we are. Whilst we were watching this monster another 

 appeared just as the first was about to dive ; they went down 

 together, the fin of one striking the other in so doing. 



But now the captain saw his chance, and swung round the 

 harpoon on the dorsal of the second Whale as it was about to 

 disappear. With the report the cable flew away, and for a few 

 moments shook ; then it started to vibrate and ran out ; all 

 now became excited, and the skipper at once prepared to re- 

 charge the gun, a process lasting a few minutes. After seven 

 minutes the captive came up, blowing hard, and it was seen at 

 once that it was badly hit, though it did not dive for some seconds. 

 It then turned over by putting all its force into a long plunge, 

 as if trying to rid itself of the instrument of torture that held 

 it, and which had entered below the back. At this time a great 

 strain was placed upon the " manilla," and it appeared to me 



