132 
will sometimes run put the lines of two 
boats. * As soon as a whale is struck, 
they hoist a flag, ox jack, in the boat, 
which being seen by the ship, the crew 
all run about the decks crying, “ A fall, 
A fall-” as much as if to say, “ He's fast, 
He's fast” Immediately all hands, ex¬ 
cept a few to take care of the ship, get 
into the boats with great expedition, and 
repair to the place where they expect 
the whale will rise to breathe. When it 
appears, they strike it again, and so con¬ 
tinue till there are sometimes three or 
four harpoons fast. When the whale be¬ 
comes fatigued, and is severely wound¬ 
ed, it throws up water mixed with blood, 
and immediately thp whole boats sur¬ 
round the groaning monster, and dis¬ 
patch it with their spears. At this mo¬ 
ment, the sea, to a considerable distance, 
looks as if tinged with vermilion. In 
* Fifteen hundred fathoms. 
4 
