shed for anything better. The
skipper had got a fine, healthy boil on one knee-cap, and another on
his wrist, so that he was, as you may say, HORS DE COMBAT. While he was
impatiently waiting to get about once more, sperm whales were raised.
Although nearly frantic with annoyance, he was compelled to leave the
direction of things to Mr. Cruce, who was quite puffed up with the
importance of his opportunity.

Such a nice little school of cow-whales, a lovely breeze, clear sky,
warm weather--I felt as gay as a lark at the prospect. As we were
reaching to windward, with all boats ready for lowering, the skipper
called me aft and said, "Naow, Mr. Bullen, I cain't lower, because of
this condemned leg'n arm of mine; but how'r yew goin' ter manage 'thout
a harpooneer?" I suggested that if he would allow me to try Samuela, who
was suffering for a chance to distinguish himself, we would "come out on
top." "All right," he said; "but let the other boats get fast first,
'n doan be in too much of a hurry to tie yerself up till ya see what's
doin'. If everythin's goin' bizness-fashion', 'n yew git a chance, sail
right in; yew got ter begin some time. But ef thet Kanaka looks
skeered goin' on, take the iron frum him ter onct." I promised, and the
interview ended.

When I told Samuela, of his chance, he was beside himself with joy. As
to his being scared, the idea was manifestly absurd. He was as pleased
with the prospect as it was possible for a man to be, and hardly able
to contain himself for impatience to be off. I almost envied him his
exuberant delight, for a sense of responsibility began to weigh upon me
with somewhat depressing effect.

We gained a good weather-gage, rounded to, and lowered four boats.
Getting away in good style, we had barely got the sails up, when
something gallied the school. We saw or heard nothing to account for it,
but undoubtedly the "fish" were off at top speed dead to windward, so
that our sails were of no use. We had them in with as little delay as
possible, and lay to our oars for all we were worth, being fresh and
strong, as well as anxious to get amongst them. But I fancy all our
efforts would have availed us little had it not been for the experience
of Mr. Cruce, whose eager eye detected the fact that the fish were
running on a great curve, and shaped our course to cut them off along a
chord of the arc.

Two and a half hours of energetic work was required of us before we got
on terms with the f