OF THE SPERM WHALE. 
177 
a very large whale made his appearance right in among 
the ships. The water was smooth at the time, for we 
had but a light air of wind stirring, so that our boats 
were instantly lowered without the loss of time of bring- 
ing the “ ship to.” But although we managed matters 
as quietly and secretly as possible, we found the 
moment our boats cleared the ship’s side, that all the 
others had been as vigilant as ourselves, and had also 
lowered their boats after the whale. The whole of 
them immediately began the chase,—- nine boats in all, 
being three from each ship. They all exerted them- 
selves to their utmost, and as we expected, in vain ; for 
before any of the boats had got even near him, the 
enormous animal lifted his widely expanded flukes, and 
descended perpendicularly into the depths of the ocean 
to feed. Those in the boats, however, having noticed 
his course, proceeded onwards, thinking the whale 
would continue to pursue the same direction under 
water ; but as he was going slowly at the time he was 
up, they did not proceed more than a mile from the 
place at which he descended before they separated about 
a hundred yards from each other, and then “peaking 59 
their oars, all the men in each boat stood up, looking 
in different directions, so as to catch the first appearance 
of the spout when the whale again rose to breathe : when 
an hour after his descent had expired, the excitement 
among us who were on board the ship, became wound 
up to its highest pitch. The captain, who had remained 
on board, ascended to the fore- top-gallant-yard to watch 
the manoeuvres of the boats, and for the purpose of the 
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