VOYAGE TO GREENLAND. 
23 
in chase of a fish, and they get fast, if none of 
their own boats be near, assist them, or bend on, 
if need be, and remain by them until you be no 
longer wanted. If you bend on, make no claim 
for assisting, as no reward will be taken.” 
Third, ‘‘Should you be sent to assist any vessel 
in killing a fish, do not chase it on any account 
whatever, if it get loose, but return from the scene 
of action as soon as possible.” 
Fourth, “ Do not attempt to strike a fish that 
has just escaped from any ship, provided its boats 
be in close pursuit ; and it is only where a wounded 
fish is beyond the possible reach of the original 
striker, that you can be justified in attacking it.” 
Fifth, “ The above conduct, I desire, may be 
puiKued with every ship, whether British or foreign, 
friendly or unfriendly! if the stranger be a friend, 
he is entitled to your assistance ; if he be one who 
has withheld his helping hand under like circum- 
stances, your aiding him will shew him his duty in 
future.^' 
Being aware, from conversation drawn from the 
harpooners, that a strong jealousy existed respect- 
ing the use of the gun-harpoon, and the alterations 
in the mode of fishing which I had suggested, and 
intended to make trial of, I considered that, from 
mismanagement, (without putting any harsher con- 
struction upon it,) a useful production is often 
brought into discredit, by a failure in its first under- 
taking. I was therefore induced to act with caution, 
and determined to address them in a tone which 
