130 A TEAR WITH A WHALER 



The sight of all these whales passing by us 

 with such unconcern, blowing water on us as if 

 in huge contempt, almost seeming to laugh at 

 us and mock our bombs and harpoons and hu- 

 man skill, drove the captain frantic. Should he 

 allow that fortune in whales to escape him with- 

 out a try for it? With purple face and popping 

 eyes he gazed at the herd now passing astern. 



" Lower them boats ! " he cried. 



"What?" expostulated Mr. Landers. "Do 

 you want to get us all killed ? 



" Lower them boats ! " yelled the skipper. 



"Don't you know that a boat that gets fast to 

 a whale in that ice will be smashed, sure? 



" Lower them boats ! " shouted the captain. 



Mr. Winchester, enthusiastic and fearless 

 whaleman that he was, was eager for the cap- 

 tain's order. His boat and Mr. Landers's went 

 down. The waist boat — mine — was left on its 

 davits. But Gabriel, its boatheader, armed with 

 a shoulder gun, went in the mate's boat. Left 

 aboard to help work ship, I had an opportunity 

 to view that exciting chase from beginning to 

 end. 



