131 
first perceived the blowing of these ani¬ 
mals. As soon as this ancient naviga¬ 
tor had successfully conducted his fleet 
past a single whale, he received an ap¬ 
plause equal to what he could have ex¬ 
pected had he vanquished an enemy’s 
fleet. 
Whenever a whale is seen from the 
ship, one or more boats are sent in pur¬ 
suit ; and if they get close to it, the har- 
pooner strikes it with his harpoon; but 
should the boat not get near enough for 
this purpose, he heaves the harpoon at 
the whale with great skill. As soon as 
the animal finds itself wounded, it de¬ 
scends, dragging the line fastened to 
the harpoon after it with such velocity, 
that one of the crew is constantly obli¬ 
ged to pour water on the stem of the 
boat to prevent its taking fire by the in¬ 
tense friction of the line. A hatchet is 
always at hand to cut the line, should it 
chance to get entangled. A large whale 
