h water, and in ten
minutes they were all fully a mile dead to windward of the two schooners.

Few things give a more exalted idea of the courage and ingenuity of the
human race than to see adventurers set forth, in a mere shell, on the
troubled waters of the open ocean, to contend with and capture an animal
of the size of the whale. The simple circumstance that the last is in its
own element, while its assailants are compelled to approach it in such
light and fragile conveyances, that, to the unpractised eye, it is
sufficiently difficult to manage them amid the rolling waters, without
seeking so powerful an enemy to contend with. But, little of all this did
the crews of our four boats now think. They had before them the objects,
or _one_ of the objects, rather, of their adventure, and so long as that
was the case, no other view but that of prevailing could rise before their
eyes.

"How is it, Gar'ner?" called out the Vineyard master; "shall it be shares?
or does each schooner whale on her own hook?"

This was asked in a friendly way, and apparently with great indifference
as to the nature of the reply, but with profound art. It was Daggett's
wish to establish a sort of partnership, which, taken in connection with
the good feeling created by the affair at Beaufort, would be very apt to
lead on to further and more important association. Luckily for Gardiner,
an idea crossed his mind, just as he was about to reply, which induced the
wisest answer. It was the thought, that competition would be more likely
to cause exertion than a partnership, and that the success of all would
better repay them for their toils and risks, should each vessel act
exclusively for itself. This is the principle that renders the present
state of society more healthful and advantageous than that which the
friends of the different systems of associating, that are now so much in
vogue, wish to substitute in its place. Individuality is an all-important
feeling in the organization of human beings into communities; and the
political economist who does not use it as his most powerful auxiliary in
advancing civilization, will soon see it turn round in its tracks, and
become a dead weight; indulging its self-love, by living with the minimum
of exertion, instead of pushing his private advantage, with the maximum.

"I think each vessel had better work for herself and her owners," answered
Roswell Gardiner.

As the schooners were in the trades, there was