8 THE WHALE-FISHERY. X When a whale-ship arrives in the X X seas where the Whales are found, the X X crews are every moment on the watch T X to discover the object of their voyage. X As soon as one is seen, seven men, six X X of whom are rowers, leap into one of X the boats, which is kept all ready for X the purpose, and row towards the X Whale in the deepest silence. AlX though this huge animal does not hear °C X quick, yet when the sea is calm, a °C X slight splashing alarms him. °c X Besides the men, the boat contains X X a large quantity of rope, all coiled up, X X to one end of which is fastened the X X harpoon, an instrument of iron about X Hl X three feet in length, so shaped as to X pierce the Whale and remain in his body, thereby preventing his escape. The harpoon has a pole, or handle, of
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