ship's company.

Mr. Thompson stood on the bowsprit, poising the death-dealing
instrument, and with a keen eye watched the gambols of the fish.
He looked as formidable and fierce as a Paladin intent on some
daring and desperate enterprise. As I eyed him with admiration
and envy I wondered if the time would ever arrive when, clad with
authority, I should exercise the privilege of wielding the
harpoon and striking a porpoise! Several of these interesting
fish, not aware of the inhospitable reception awaiting them, and
seemingly prompted by curiosity, rapidly approached the brig.
"Stand by, my lads!" exclaimed the mate, his face lighted by a
gleam of anticipated triumph. One huge fellow passed directly
beneath the bowsprit, and Mr. Thompson let drive the harpoon with
all the strength and energy he possessed. We hauled upon the
line with vigor alas! It required but little exertion to haul
it in; the mate had missed his mark.

In a few minutes another of these portly inhabitants of the deep
came rolling along with a rowdy, swaggering gait, close to the
surface of the water. The mate, cool and collected, took a
careful aim, and again threw the iron, which entered his victim,
and then shouted with the voice of a Stentor, "Haul in! Haul
in!" And we did haul in; but the fish was strong and muscular,
and struggled hard for liberty and life. In spite of our prompt
and vigorous exertions, he was dragged under the brig's bottom;
and if he had not been struck in a workmanlike manner, the
harpoon would have drawn out, and the porpoise would have
escaped, to be torn to pieces by his unsympathizing companions.
As it was, after a severe struggle on both sides, we roused him