86 
A VOYAGE TO SPITZBEBGEN. 
of tlie herd, which is quickly thrown into confusion by 
a wild hubbub and splashing of water in their rear. 
The bottle-noses rush wildly from side to side, and some 
old bull, their leader, his patience exhausted by the 
frantic efforts he is bound to make for their safety,, 
often rears up in the water to the no small danger of 
any boat in his immediate neighbourhood. All this 
time the tide is ebbing away, and the shallow water,, 
grown muddy from the turmoil, impedes the progress 
of the bewildered whales. One or two, in their 
frantic charges at the boats, manage to make good 
their escape, but the majority are soon stranded and 
made away with by the boatmen, who by an unrea¬ 
sonable law are compelled to concede a third of their 
gains to the Customs, a similar exaction being made in 
every case where a harpooned whale is brought ta 
land. 
