they approached the spot, they saw that the waves were stained with blood; and by this they knew that the whale was severely wounded, and would soon die.

By and by, the fishermen perceived that the rope began to slacken, and at length it was drawn out no more. They pulled the rope, but felt no motion. They then knew that the whale was dead. In about half an hour, the body of the huge creature rose to the top of the water, and lay floating upon the surface*.

The whole of this animating scene had been witnessed by our little cabin-boy. As soon as the boat left the ship, he mounted to the main roundtop, and from that position he saw the whole. Although there was evidently great danger lest the fishermen should be overturned

* It is a remarkable fact, in natural mechanics, that through the action of the tail, (similar to that of a skull in work of a boat,) a dead whale will often, while left loose for a time by the whalers, work its way at sea with surprising swiftness, and this even against a head wind.

by the whale when it was harpooned, and, afterwards, that the boat should be drawn under water by the rope, still there was something in the scene that delighted our young adventurer. The idea of killing such a tremendous fish excited his imagination; and when he saw it dead, and floating on the water, he could not but wonder at the skill and courage of the fishermen, that had achieved so bold a deed.

ship, and the whole crew fell to cutting it up. Several of the men got upon the side of the whale, having sharp irons in their shoes to prevent their slipping off. They cut off the fat part, or blubber, (which lies between the skin and the lean parts, or muscles,) in pieces about three feet thick, and eight inches long. These pieces were drawn up the side of the vessel by a windlass. They were then put into tubs, in the hold of the ship.

After the fat was all taken off, they cut out what is called the whale-bone, with an axe. This consists of a great many thin layers, three or four yards in length, and adhering to the upper jaw. I suppose you have often seen whale-bone. After it is cut into small rods, it is used for the frames of umbrellas, for whipstocks, and many other purposes.

After all was done, the immense carcase of the whale was left floating upon the sea; and the vessel pursued its way in search of more fish.

CHAP. IX.

THE FISHERMEN MEET WITH MORE WHALES. THEY KILL A YOUNG WHALE, AND AFTERWARD KILL THE OLD ONE. ADVENTURE WITH A WHITE BEAR. DESCRIPTION OF THE GREENLANDERS. HOW A GREENLANDER KILLED A SEAL.

A FEW days after this, the fishermen found another whale. They approached it, and plunged the harpoon into it; but it entered the soft and fleshy part of the fish, and did not hold fast. Consequently, the whale escaped. The next day they saw several whales; but when the boatman attempted to get near them, they suddenly disappeared below the surface of the

water.

After sailing about amid the ice for some time, the fishermen at length discovered a young whale. This they soon harpooned and killed. The old one appeared to be in the greatest distress; losing her fear in anxiety for her young one, she came so close to the boat, that one of the men plunged a harpoon into her side.

The whale then darted down into the waters, drawing the rope after it. The fishermen followed, as before, and in a few hours the whale was dead. The blubber was then taken off, and stowed away in the hold.

Some time now passed, and nothing remarkable happened; but, one day, being at no great distance from shore, the crew saw a white bear upon the ice. Some of the men left the vessel, and, taking with them some guns, harpoons, and two dogs that were on board the ship, they went toward the bear.

The creature was busily engaged in feeding upon the carcase of a whale, that had been left by the fishermen. It was making a very hearty meal, and did not seem disposed to leave it. But when the men and dogs drew near, it ran toward the land. The men fired some balls at it, and at length one of them hit it. It continued, however, to run along upon the ice.

At length it reached the shore; and, the dogs being very near, it turned suddenly round,