r discussion. Until that time, strange as it
may seem, no word of this, the central idea of all our minds, had been
mooted. Every man seemed to shun the subject, although we were in
daily expectation of being called upon to take an active part in
whale-fighting. Once the ice was broken, nearly all had something to say
about it, and very nearly as many addle-headed opinions were ventilated
as at a Colney Hatch debating society. For we none of us KNEW anything
about it. I was appealed to continually to support this or that theory,
but as far as whaling went I could only, like the rest of them, draw
upon my imagination for details. How did a whale act, what were the
first steps taken, what chance was there of being saved if your boat got
smashed, and so on unto infinity. At last, getting very tired of this
"Portugee Parliament" of all talkers and no listeners, I went aft to
get a drink of water before turning in. The harpooners and other petty
officers were grouped in the waist, earnestly discussing the pros and
cons of attack upon whales. As I passed I heard the mate's harpooner
say, "Feels like whale about. I bet a plug (of tobacco) we raise sperm
whale to-morrow." Nobody took his bet, for it appeared that they were
mostly of the same mind, and while I was drinking I heard the officers
in dignified conclave talking over the same thing. It was Saturday
evening, and while at home people were looking forward to a day's
respite from work and care, I felt that the coming day, though never
taken much notice of on board, was big with the probabilities of strife
such as I at least had at present no idea of. So firmly was I possessed
by the prevailing feeling.

The night was very quiet. A gentle breeze was blowing, and the sky was
of the usual "Trade" character, that is, a dome of dark blue fringed at
the horizon with peaceful cumulus clouds, almost motionless. I turned
in at four a.m. from the middle watch and, as usual, slept like a babe.
Suddenly I started wide awake, a long mournful sound sending a thrill
to my very heart. As I listened breathlessly other sounds of the same
character but in different tones joined in, human voices monotonously
intoning in long drawn-out expirations the single word "bl-o-o-o-o-w."
Then came a hurricane of noise overhead, and adjurations in no gentle
language to the sleepers to "tumble up lively there, no skulking, sperm
whales." At last, then, fulfilling all the presentiments of yesterday,
the