LOSS 01>' A IIAItPOONEU. 
12.5 
the least exclamation ; and the person who wit¬ 
nessed his extraordinary removal, observed, that 
it was so exceedingly quick, that although his eye 
was upon him at the instant, he could scarcely 
distinguish the object as it disappeared. 
As soon as the crew of the boat recovered from 
their consternation, they applied themselves to 
the needful attention which the lines required. 
From the accompanying boat, on the rising of the 
fish to the sm-face, a second harpoon was struck, 
and some lances applied ; but the melancholy pro¬ 
vidence that had occurred, had cast such a damp 
upon all the men employed in this business, that 
they became timid, cautious, and inactive in their 
subsequent duties. The fish, when nearly exhaust¬ 
ed, was, in consequence of this, allowed to remain 
for some minutes unmolested on the water, until 
having recovered some degree of energy, it made 
a violent effort, and disengaged itself from both 
the harpoons. 
Our exertions thus proved altogether fruitless; 
and were attended with serious loss. In all 
respects we were extremely unfortunate. Be¬ 
sides the whale above mentioned that was lost 
when in a dying state, two others, that were par¬ 
tially harpooned, likewise escaped us; and ano¬ 
ther, which a harpooncr was just about to strike, 
sank at the moment in a fright, occasioned, not 
