Then
the other slackened her speed, and began pulling with cautious and quiet
stroke. The lookout announced that the head boat had made the whale, and
the men climbed the ship's rigging to witness the struggle. They were
doomed to temporary disappointment, however, for the whale, suddenly
discovering his pursuers, made a vault and a plunge, tossed the sea into
commotion, and disappeared.
"That's what comes of sendin' an amateur after an old whale," said the
captain, thrusting his hands deep into his nether pockets, shrugging his
shoulders, and pacing nervously up and down the deck.
A signal was now made from the ship directing the boats what course to
keep, for experience had taught the old captain what course the whale
would take, and where he would be most likely to appear again. It was
nearly half an hour before the monster lifted his huge, dripping sides
above the surface again, but so near the first officer's boat that a
harpoon was let go. They had fastened to him, and the scene became more
exciting.
"Bad strike," said the captain, shaking his head and stamping his feet.
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