47% TRAVELS IM 
him away. If he rofe too high above the 
water, thev pafled backward and forward over 
his back, till he had defcended deeper. If, 
on the contrary, he fwam too low, they dif- 
appeared, and we faw no more of them, be- 
caufe, no doubt, they were pafhng under- 
neath, as in the preceding inftance they had 
paffed above him. Accordingly we, found 
him re-afcend towards the furface, and then 
the two fentinels reafTumed their pofts, each 
on his horn. 
During the three days that the calm conti- 
nued, \and we remained motionlefs for want of 
wind, thefe manoeuvres were many times re~ 
peated before our eyes as to each of the three 
monfters. 
I was defirous of catching one of them, in 
order to examine it at leifure. But, when I 
propofed it to the crew, they treated it as im- 
poffible. However, on my promifing a dozen 
bottles of wine to any one who fhould ac« 
complifh it, their ardour was roufed ; and the 
attempt, which was before deemed impradi- 
cable, was now only difficult. 
They all ran to their harpoons, and ported 
themfelves here and there by the ihip's fide in 
readinefs 
