ady to strike the
harpoon into the animal as soon as it was reached.

Harry and his friend were in the rigging watching the proceedings.

Quitting his oar, the mate stood up, harpoon in hand; it flew from his
grasp just in time to strike the monster, which was about to "sound," or
dive. The line attached to the weapon led aft to a tub, in which it lay
coiled at the bottom of the boat. The mate, who acted as boat-steerer,
now came to his proper place in the stern, where he guided the boat by
an oar passed through a ring called a grummet, while the headsman, who
had before been steering, took his place in the bow, armed with several
lances, ready to plunge into the body of the whale the instant it again
appeared.

After some minutes, up came the monster, lying somewhat exhausted with
its exertions to escape and the effects of the harpoon in its body. The
boat pulling close up to it, the headsman thrust first one lance and
then another into its body, near the fin, shouting as he did so, "Stern
all." Instantly the boat backed away as fast as the crew could use
their oars, only just in time to avoid the violent movements of the
monster, which now reared its tail, lashing the water into foam, and,
lifting its enormous head, threatened destruction to its assailants with
its formidable jaws. Suddenly its movements ceased, and the
boat-steerers, believing that its last struggles were over, and eager to
secure their victim, urged their men to give way towards it.

The first mate's boat still took the lead, and approached with less
caution than usual. The apparently vanquished monster, as it saw her,
without a moment's warning whirled round its enormous tail, which,
striking her, sent the boat flying into the air, scattering her crew on
either side in the blood-stained water, when it rushed forward with open
mouth to attack Mr Champion's boat. He narrowly avoided the fierce
assault, and then boldly steered to the assistance of his shipmates, who
were struggling for their lives. Once more the whale turned, dragging
the boat after it, swimming directly through the midst of the men in the
water.

The accident had been clearly seen from the ship. Several had been
picked up. Mr Champion then steered towards the whale, which was in
its death struggle a short distance off. Another boat had been lowered
to go to his assistance, under the command of Tom Hayes.

In a short time, the first mate's boat having been righted, al