, growing weary, slackened its speed, and the line
was hauled in. The boat had got nearly up to it when it again sounded,
but only for a short time. On its return to the surface, old Tom was
able to plunge several lances into its body, and then, the boat backing
away from it, after it had struggled and lashed the water with its tail
for a few minutes, it turned over on its side, and a shout proclaimed
that the crew were victors. They now prepared to tow their prize
towards the ship; but darkness had come on, and when they looked out for
her she was nowhere to be seen. Still, as they knew the direction in
which she was to be found, they hoped to get alongside before midnight,
and bending lustily to their oars, pulled away. They had not gone far
before they had to meet the wind, which had hitherto come off the shore,
and was in their favour; and the sea rising rapidly, they made but slow
way with the whale in tow. No sound was heard but the roaring of the
surf on the rocky island and the breaking of the sea-caps, which ever
and anon leaped on board. Harry and Dickey heartily wished themselves
safe on board again, while old Tom, as he stood up steering with his
oar, looked out anxiously ahead, in the hope of seeing a light from the
ship. The sea-caps, however, came tumbling on board faster than ever.

"There is work for you, boys," he observed. "We must get rid of some of
this water, or else we shall have more than enough."

The boys turned to and bailed with might and main; but their efforts
were not sufficient, and one of the men was obliged to assist them.

"There is the light, lads!" cried old Tom; "but it's a long way off," he
murmured.

Far away, just above the breaking seas ahead, could be seen the glare of
a blue light; it seemed to come out of the water, and showed that the
ship was indeed a long way off.

"We shall not get alongside with the whale to-night," observed old Tom.

"Neither with it nor without it," answered one of the men.

"It will be lucky if we get anywhere," said another.

The sea had now risen still more than at first, and dark heavy masses
crested with foam came rolling on towards the boat.

It was proposed to hang on to the whale, and wait till the ship stood
towards them. The boat was made fast under the lee of the monster's
body, which served somewhat to break the force of the seas.

Again a pale blue light was seen, but it was evidently only the upper
rays, showing that t