eter, but seldom getting far away from their
starting-point. But as the time went on, and we seemed to fly over the
waves at undiminished speed, I began to think this whale might be the
exception necessary to prove the rule, so I got out the compass and
watched his course. Due east, not a degree to north or south of it,
straight as a bee to its hive. The ship was now far out of sight astern,
but I knew that keen eyes had been watching our movements from the
masthead, and that every effort possible would be made to keep the run
of us. The speed of our whale was not only great, but unflagging. He was
more like a machine than an animal capable of tiring; and though we did
our level best, at the faintest symptom of slackening, to get up closer
and lance him, it was for some time impossible. After, at a rough
estimate, running in a direct easterly course for over two hours, he
suddenly sounded, without having given us the ghost of a chance to "land
him one where he lived." Judging from his previous exertions, though,
it was hardly possible he would be able to stay down long, or get
very deep, as the strain upon these vast creatures at any depth is
astonishingly exhausting. After a longer stay below than usual, when
they have gone extra deep, they often arrive at the surface manifestly
"done up" for a time. Then, if the whaleman be active and daring, a
few well-directed strokes may be got in which will promptly settle the
business out of hand.

Now, when my whale sounded he was to all appearance as frightened a
beast as one could wish--one who had run himself out endeavouring to
get away from his enemies, and as a last resource had dived into the
quietness below in the vain hope to get away. So I regarded him, making
up my mind to wait on him with diligence upon his arrival, and not allow
him to get breath before I had settled him. But when he did return,
there was a mighty difference in him. He seemed as if he had been
getting some tips on the subject from some school below where whales are
trained to hunt men; for his first move was to come straight for me
with a furious rush, carrying the war into the enemy's country with
a vengeance. It must be remembered that I was but young, and a
comparatively new hand at this sort of thing; so when I confess that I
felt more than a little scared at this sudden change in the tactics of
my opponent, I hope I shall be excused. Remembering, however, that all
our lives depended on keeping