84 VOYAGE TO GREENLAND. 
fish gave the alarm .to others, it is impossible to 
say, but they were seen swimming in all direc- 
tionsj and I witnessed several other harpoons thrown 
ineffectually at distances, at which, I would ham 
warranted certain destruction to evert/ one of the fish 
from my gun, for not any of them exceeded ten 
yards; but, strange to tell, not a whale came near 
the boat in which I was, though we changed our 
situation with every favourable prospect : this 
being the first time since his recovery that the 
harpooner appointed to the gun-boat attended, I 
watched him to ascertain whether he was also pre- 
judiced against my plan ; and I regret to say, that 
his conduct was most unsatisfactory. Finding, also, 
that I must conform to the instructions said to be 
given to him, of having a hand-harpoon fastened 
to my line, in readiness to apply in case of a failure, 
I considered this want of confidence not only so 
unnecessary, but likewise so unjust, until a failure 
had actually taken place, that I became quite indif- 
ferent about using the gun, and particularly, as a 
most disgraceful trick had been employed to defeat its 
going off. I therefore determined not to take fur- 
ther interest in proving its decided advantage, but 
to use it in amusing myself; and wished them 
better success than had hitherto attended their 
taking fish by the hand-harpoon. During our ab- 
sence from the ship, we had one of the prettiest 
chases possible, for keeping up continued expecta- 
tion; this was in pursuing a whale, by the wake, or 
eddy of water, caused by its swimming not far 
