e could do no
more than sincerely and cordially thank him. The day before we
embarked, he told us that he had been making inquiries about Captain
Brown. "I would rather that you had another man to sail with," he
observed. "He is a person with two countenances, I am afraid. On shore
he is mild, and obliging, and well-behaved; but afloat he is, I am told,
tyrannical and passionate, and often addicted to intemperance. You
will, accordingly, be on your guard. You will probably remain only a
few weeks with him, or I should advise you to give up the voyage, and
wait for another opportunity of going westward." This was not pleasant
news, but we resolved on no account to delay our departure, and,
thanking our friend for his warning, as well as for all the kindness we
had received at his hands, we the next day went on board the
_Matchless_.

She was a fine vessel, and well-found with boats and gear. How great a
contrast did she offer to the frail canoe in which we had lately made so
long a voyage! How strongly built and rigged! How well calculated to
stand the buffeting of the winds and waves! How impossible did it seem
that any harm could come to her! I felt this, I own, as I walked her
deck. She had already taken twenty whales, or fish, as sailors wrongly
call them. For some time Captain Brown was very civil and good-natured,
and we began to hope that our friend had received a wrong account of
him.

Although we did not expect to meet with whales, men were always kept at
the mast-heads on the look-out. I shall not forget the excitement of
the scene when, after we had been a week at sea, the cry was uttered
from aloft, "There she spouts! there she spouts!" In an instant
everybody was alert. "Where away? where away?" was asked. The point
where the whale had appeared was indicated. The boats were lowered; the
crews leaped into them. The master went in one, two mates in others.
Off they pulled in hot chase. The whale sounded; the men lay on their
oars. In half an hour she rose again, throwing up a jet of sparkling
foam into the air. Again the boats dashed on. The master's headed the
rest. His harpoon struck the monster. One of the other boats got fast
directly after. Then off went the whale at a terrific speed, dragging
the boats after her directly away from the ship. Now she sounded, and
all their lines were run out; but just as they would have to cut, up she
came again. We followed under all sail.