for the tail. Be sharp, lads! We must make the creature fast,
or it will get away from us." The line was flying out as he spoke.
"It's a big fish, at all events," he exclaimed; "we must take care it
doesn't get away." As the rope approached the end, he secured it round
the bits, and away went the boat, towed by the monster.

"Hilloa," shouted Bollard, "I wish we had been fast to you, to see the
sport. Out oars, lads!"

The crew of the cutter obeyed the order, and pulled away after the
launch. Now Paul began to haul in on the line. Suddenly it slackened.

"It will drown itself if it doesn't come up to breathe," he shouted.
"We shall soon have it lads!"

Captain Twopenny had got his rifle ready; the line was hauled rapidly
in. Presently a huge black mass rose alongside.

"Give it a shot in the head, sir," cried Paul, "and the creature will be
ours."

The seamen had got the ropes ready, and now dexterously slipped a
running bowline over the head and another over the tail. The creature,
which appeared to be a small sort of whale, was evidently much
exhausted; a rifle-shot sent through its head contributed yet further to
weaken it; but even as it was, its struggles so violently shook the boat
that Harry was afraid he should be compelled to order it to be cut
loose. After, however, giving two or three violent lashes with its
tail, which sent the water flying over the boat, it remained perfectly
quiet.

"This is a prize!" cried the doctor exultingly. "If we can secure the
blubber we shall be no longer in want of fuel."

Axes and knives were soon out, and the thick mass which surrounded the
creature was quickly cut off. A considerable quantity of the flesh was
also secured, the fore part of the boat being soon well loaded with it,
many of the articles which had before been stowed there having been
brought aft to keep her in trim. By the time this operation was
finished the other boat came up; and Harry, finding that he could now
depend on obtaining enough water for all on board on short allowance,
ordered one of his casks to be given to their friends in the cutter.
Instead of charcoal, which was kept in store for the future, a fire was
now made up of blubber, which burned with a hot flame, and the still was
found to work remarkably well, though fresh water could be obtained from
it only at a very slow rate. The chief cause of suffering which had
been dreaded was, however, removed. Several wild-fowl were