OF THE SPERM WHALE. 
167 
But this violent action being soon over, the now 
unconscious animal passes rapidly along, describing in 
his rapid course a segment of a circle, this is his 
u flurry,” which ends in his sudden dissolution. And 
the mighty rencontre is finished by the gigantic animal 
rolling over on its side, and floating an inanimate mass 
on the surface of the crystal deep, —a victim to the 
tyranny and selfishness, as well as a wonderful proof of 
the great power of the mind of man. 
In the afternoon of a day which had been rather 
stormy, while we were fishing in the North Pacific, a 
“ school” of young bull- whales made their appearance 
close to the ship, and as the weather had cleared up a 
little, the captain immediately ordered the mate to lower 
his boat, while he did the same with his own, in order to 
go in pursuit of them. 
The two boats were instantly lowered, for we were 
unable to send more, having had two others “ stove” 
rk 
the day before ; they soon got near the whales, but 
were unfortunately seen by them before they could get 
near enough to dart the harpoon with any chance of 
success, and the consequence was that the “ pod” of 
whales separated, and went off with great swiftness in 
different directions. One however, after making several 
turns, came at length right towards the captain’s boat, 
which he observing, waited in silence for his approach 
without moving an oar, so that the (i young bull” came 
close by his boat, and received the blow of the harpoon 
some distance behind his “ hump,” which I saw enter 
