240 
Wild Life in Southern Seas. 
knowledge that some unknown and invisible 
danger beset them, that they permitted the 
loose boats—five in number—to pull right on 
top of them. Four of the boats at once got 
fast without difficulty, leaving three or four of 
the whales still huddled together in the greatest 
fear and agitation. Just as the fifth boat got 
within striking distance of the largest of the 
remaining fish, he suddenly sounded, and was 
immediately followed by the others. Some 
minutes passed before Martin, the officer of 
the fifth boat, could tell which way they had 
gone, when the St. George signalled, “ Gone to 
windward! ” and presently Martin saw them 
running side by side with the whale which had 
been struck by Captain Wicks. Martin at once 
started off to intercept them, and when within 
a few hundred yards he saw that the stricken 
whale was surrounded by four others, who 
stuck so closely beside him that Captain 
Wicks could not get up alongside his prize 
to give him the first deadly lance thrust 
without great danger. At last, however, this 
was attempted, but the whale was not badly 
hurt, and the four other fish at once sounded 
as they smelt the creature’s blood. But, sud- 
