the watch below, had turned in. He was awakened by a loud
stamping on the deck, and the cry of "a fall, a fall." The men rushed
up on deck, carrying their clothes with them, and dressing as they went.
Instantly running to the boats, they began to lower them. In the
distance was a boat with a flag flying, a signal that a whale had been
struck, and was fast. The boats shoved off, and away they went at a
rapid rate to the assistance of their friends. The monster soon
appeared on the surface. The boats pulled towards it, and numberless
lances were darted at its body. Again it sounded, to reappear shortly
still closer to the ship. Once more the boats dashed on--the water
around the animal was dyed red with blood, mixed with oil, which issued
from its wounds and blow-holes. The boats again drew near, and more
lances were hurled at it. Suddenly the creature reared its tail high in
the air, whirling it round with a loud noise, which reached the ship.
At the same moment the nearest boat was thrown upwards several feet,
while the crew were sent flying on every side into the water, the boat
itself being reduced to a mass of wreck. Their companions went forward
to rescue the drowning men, who were seen to be hauled into the boats;
but whether any had perished could not be discovered by those who, with
Archy, were eagerly watching what was taking place, from the deck of the
ship. Directly afterwards the whale rolled over on its side, and
remained perfectly quiet. The flag was lowered, and the men, standing
up in the boats, gave three loud huzzas, which were echoed by those on
board. Two holes being made in the tail of the whale, ropes were passed
through them, which being made fast to the boats, they towed their prize
in triumph to the ship. The animal now being secured alongside, the
process of flensing or cutting off the blubber commenced. Tackles were
rigged with hooks, which were fixed in the blubber. This was cut by
means of spades, and the tackle being worked by a windlass, as the
blubber was cut off in long strips, it was hoisted on board. Here it
was cut into pieces, and stowed in casks in the hold. Thus, as the
whale was turned round and round, the blubber was stripped off, till the
whole coat was removed. The whalebone, of which the gills are formed,
being then extracted, the carcase was cast adrift, when it was seen to
be surrounded by vast numbers of fish and wild sea-birds, coming from
all directions t