136 
A VOYAGE TO SPITZBEEGEN. 
vapour spirting from tlie curious blowholes placed on 
either side of the head above the curiously formed 
eyes. We sit and listen to this dreary overture, wait¬ 
ing for the performers to come within our reach, 
but are doomed to wait nearly two hours before any 
sign is made. Then the longed-for signal is given 
from the taffrail of our schooner, intimating that some¬ 
thing is seen astern. The signals being made in a kind 
of suppressed dumb show are so grotesque, that we 
almost spoil our chance of being successful in the 
coming struggle by giving way to the laughter we 
can hardly suppress; the object of the signalman 
evidently being to assure us that there is no deception 
this time. 
The narwhal is the most difficult of Arctic game to 
deal with; he never remains at rest for any great 
length of time, and is generally seen at the surface of 
the water halting for a few minutes to breathe, or 
going at great speed. The utmost caution is therefore 
requisite in approaching him; the oars are carefully 
dipped in the water, the strength of the stroke is 
diminished in order to lift the oar out again without 
