meanwhile, was making rapid way towards the side of the whale.

"Now, Walter," said the mate, "do as I have been doing, while I get a
harpoon-line ready to haul the black out of the water; but take care, my
dear boy, that you don't slip off."

Walter did as the mate told him, still continuing to shriek out as
loudly as before. Bending the end of one of the lines to the centre of
a spear, Mr Shobbrok let it drop into the water, where it floated;
while he stood by to haul up Nub as soon as he caught hold of it.
Walter continued in the meantime cutting off pieces of blubber and
throwing them towards the head of the whale, and as long as he did so
the sharks remained on the watch for the delicious morsels. At length
Nub reached the spear, and grasping hold of it, endeavoured to haul
himself up; but he was evidently greatly exhausted by his rapid swim,
and the dread he had experienced of being seized by one of the monsters
swarming around. The mate, who had begun to haul him in, called Walter
to his assistance. They had got the black half out of the water, when
they saw several of the dark fins gliding towards him. How poor Walter
shouted and shrieked!--while he and the mate hauled away with all their
might, every instant dreading to see the savage creatures tear at Nub's
legs. With all their strength they hauled away, when, just as Nub's
feet were clear of the water, two enormous sharks rose with open mouths
above the surface to seize him. Happily they were disappointed, for the
creatures in their eagerness rushing against each other, missed their
aim, their heads nearly touching the soles of his feet--which, as may be
supposed, he quickly drew up; while the mate and Walter, hauling away,
got him fairly up to the top of the whale's back. As soon as he was
safe, Walter threw his arm around him, exclaiming, "Have the creatures
bitten you, Nub? Have you really escaped them? oh, why did you go--oh,
why did you go?"

"Yes, Massa Walter, I quite safe, neber fear," answered Nub, panting for
breath. "Dey no hurt me, though dey would have liked to eat me up as
they did the blubber which you and de mate threw to dem; no doubt about
dat."

"I am thankful that you have got back safe, Nub," said the mate. "It
was a bold attempt, but it would have been a vain one; for I am as sure
as I stand here that the captain is not on board the raft out there."

"Oh, where can my father have gone, then?" exclaimed Walter, who was
sti