me. It is that the beast, after having fled so rapidly, is very quiet
now."

"In fact, Howik, that seems to me suspicious. Let us be careful!"

"Yes, but let us go forward."

Captain Hull grew more and more animated.

The boat drew still nearer. The jubarte only turned in her place. Her
young one was no longer near her; perhaps she was trying to find it
again.

Suddenly she made a movement with her tail, which took her thirty feet
away.

Was she then going to take flight again, and must they take up this
interminable pursuit again on the surface of the waters?

"Attention!" cried Captain Hull. "The beast is going to take a spring
and throw herself on us. Steer, Howik, steer!"

The jubarte, in fact, had turned in such a manner as to present herself
in front of the whale-boat. Then, beating the sea violently with her
enormous fins, she rushed forward.

The boatswain, who expected this direct blow, turned in such a fashion
that the jubarte passed by the boat, but without reaching it.

Captain Hull and the two sailors gave her three vigorous thrusts on the