blue fringed at the horizon with peaceful cumulus clouds, almost
motionless. I turned in at four a.m. from the middle watch and,
as usual, slept like a babe. Suddenly I started wide awake, a
long mournful sound sending a thrill to my very heart. As I
listened breathlessly other sounds of the same character but in
different tones joined in, human voices monotonously intoning in
long drawn-out expirations the single word "bl-o-o-o-o-w." Then
came a hurricane of noise overhead, and adjurations in no gentle
language to the sleepers to "tumble up lively there, no skulking,
sperm whales." At last, then, fulfilling all the presentiments of
yesterday, the long dreaded moment had arrived. Happily there
was no time for hesitation, in less than two minutes we were all
on deck, and hurrying to our respective boats. There was no
flurry or confusion, and except that orders were given more
quietly than usual, with a manifest air of suppressed excitement,
there was nothing to show that we were not going for an ordinary
course of boat drill. The skipper was in the main crow's-nest
with his binoculars presently he shouted, "Naow then, Mr. Count,
lower away soon's y'like. Small pod o'cows, an' one'r two bulls
layin' off to west'ard of 'em." Down went the boats into the
water quietly enough, we all scrambled in and shoved off. A
stroke or two of the oars were given to get clear of the ship,
and one another, then oars were shipped and up went the sails.
As I took my allotted place at the main-sheet, and the beautiful
craft started off like some big bird, Mr. Count leant forward,
saying impressively to me, "Y'r a smart youngster, an' I've
kinder took t'yer; but don't ye look ahead an' get gallied, 'r
I'll knock ye stiff wi' th' tiller; y'hear me? N' don't ye dare
to make thet sheet fast, 'r ye'll die so sudden y' won't know
whar y'r hurted." I said as cheerfully as I could, "All right,