was seen playing near the old one.

"We shall have her boys, we shall have her," shouted Andrew.

The whale discerned the approach of her foes, and diving down with her
calf, disappeared.

"Give way lads, give way," cried Andrew, "she will not desert the young
one."

He was right, though had the old whale been alone, she would soon have
been miles away. The boat continued in the direction the whale had been
seen to take, and in a short time the small animal again came to the
surface to breathe. The boat was soon up to the animal, when its
faithful mother rose also to afford it protection. The boat dashed up
to it, and Andrew, going forward, plunged his unerring harpoon deep into
its side. No sooner did the monster feel the wound than away she
darted, towing the boat, the young whale keeping up with her. The crew
pulled with might and main, hoping to get up alongside again in order to
fix another harpoon, and to pierce her with their lances. They had
nearly succeeded, when up went her tail in the air, and down she dived
into the depths of ocean, her calf following her example. Immediately
the whale line was allowed to run out; and, as the end was approached,
another was fastened on. That too had nearly been drawn out, when the
crew, lifting up their oars, made a signal for assistance from their
companions, but they were already too far off to be seen, indeed the
other boats were engaged with the whale first attacked.

"Hold on," shouted Andrew. "Though she might not come up by herself,
the young one will, and she will follow."

He was right; for at the moment that the bow of the boat seemed about to
be drawn under water, and the knife was lifted to cut the line, it
slackened, and the young whale came to the surface some way ahead,
followed immediately afterwards by its mother. Remaining stationary a
short time to breathe, during which a portion of the line was hauled in,
the monster again began to make her way along the surface.

"Rare fun!" exclaimed Archy, who was sitting near Max. "I would not
have missed this on any account."

"We shall not be merry long if that bank of clouds to the north brings a
gale with it," growled out Max.

Archy looked around; the sea, hitherto calm, was already ruffled with
waves, and an icy breeze swept over the surface. Still no whaler, with
a fish fast, would have thought of giving up the pursuit. Already the
monster, wearied by its exertions, was slackening its sp