PURSUIT OF NARWHAL. 
145 
with graceful motion and charge along with wild and 
reckless lunges of their formidable weapons; suddenly 
they skim along the surface, curving their backs they 
plunge headlong down, and the moment after, others, 
as if playing at some intricate game, as suddenly 
appear in the spot vacated; crowds follow in single 
file the vagaries of some chosen leader, the mazes of 
some game, and we watch with unwearying gaze the 
sport they seem to enjoy so much. Then the idea 
presents itself of lowering a boat and dashing in 
amongst them in the hope of capturing a prize. No 
sooner is the scheme proposed than the crew are ready 
for the fun, and with a strong pull we are soon along¬ 
side the icy barrier. All are eager for the sport; the 
boat is soon dragged over to the other side and 
launched in the water beyond ; now everything is 
ready, but their sports are at an end. For some 
cause, the shifting of the ice, perhaps, or the alarm 
communicated to the herd by their leader, soon 
spreads amongst the narwhal, and despite all our 
well-meant efforts, we are at length forced to give up 
the pursuit, fairly beaten by the fatigue. As we 
return to the schooner the older hands inform us that 
they never knew such pursuit result in any gain ; the 
narwhal at such times cannot be taken. 
On the 2.8th we again came up with the seals, but 
