Having formed his resolve, the captain lost no time in setting about his preliminary arrangements. He could not really conceal4 from his own mind that the pursuit of a finback was always a matter of some peril5, and he was anxious, accordingly, to make every possible provision which forethought could devise against all emergencies.
Besides her long-boat, which was kept between the two masts, the "Pilgrim" had three whale-boats, two of them slung7 to the starboard and larboard davits, and the third at the stern, outside the taffrail. During the fishing season, when the crew was reinforced by a hired complement9 of New Zealand whalemen, all three of these boats would be brought at once into requisition, but at present the whole crew of the "Pilgrim" was barely sufficient to man one of the three boats. Tom and his friends were ready to volunteer their assistance, but any offers of service from them were necessarily declined; the manipulation of a whale-boat can only be entrusted10 to those who are experienced in the work, as a false turn of the tiller or a premature11 stroke of the oar8 may in a moment compromise the safety of the whole party. Thus compelled to take all his trained sailors with him on his venturous expedition, the captain had no alternative than to leave his apprentice13 in charge of the schooner14 during his absence. Dick's choice would have been very much in favour of taking a share in the whale-hunt, but he had the good sense to know that the developed strength of a man would be of far greater service in the boat, and accordingly without a murmur15 he resigned himself to remain behind.
Of the five sailors who were to man the boat, there were four to take the oars16, whilst Howick the boatswain was to manage the oar at the stern, which on these occasions generally replaces an ordinary rudder as being quicker in action in the event of any of the side oars being disabled. The post of harpooner18 was of course assigned to Captain Hull, to whose lot it would consequently fall first to hurl19 his weapon at the whale, then to manage the unwinding of the line to which the harpoon17 was attached, and finally to kill the creature by lance-wounds when it should emerge again from below the sea.
A method sometimes employed for commencing an attack is to place a sort of small cannon20 on the bows or deck of the boat and to discharge from it either a harpoon or some explosive bullets, which make frightful21 lacerations on the body of the victim; but the "Pilgrim" was not provided with apparatus22 of this description; not only are all the contrivances of this kind very costly23 and difficult to manage, but the fishermen generally are averse24 to innovations, and prefer the old-fashioned harpoons25. It was with these alone that Captain Hull was now about to encounter the finback that was lying some four miles distant from his ship.
The weather promised as favourably26 as could be for the enterprise. The sea was calm, and the wind moreover was still moderating, so that there was no likelihood of the schooner drifting away during the captain's absence.
When the starboard whale-boat had been lowered, and the four sailors had entered it, Howick passed a couple of harpoons down to them, and some lances which had been carefully sharpened; to these were added five coils of stout27 and supple28 rope, each 600 feet long, for a whale when struck often dives so deeply that even these lengths of line knotted together are found to be insufficient29. After these implements30 of attack had been properly stowed in the bows, the crew had only to await the pleasure of their captain.
The "Pilgrim," before the sailors left her, had been made to heave to, and the yards were braced31 so as to secure her remaining as stationary32 as possible. As the time drew near for the captain to quit her, he gave a searching look all round to satisfy himself that everything was in order; he saw that the halyards were properly tightened33, and the sails trimmed as they should be, and then calling the young apprentice to his side, he said,-
"Now, Dick, I am going to leave you for a few hours: while I am away, I hope that it will not be necessary for you to make any movement whatever. However, you must be on the watch. It is not very likely, but it is possible that this finback may carry us out to some distance. If so, you will have to follow; and in that case, I am sure you may rely upon Tom and his friends for assistance."
One and all, the negroes assured the captain of their willingness to obey Dick's instructions, the sturdy Hercules rolling up his capacious shirt-sleeves as if to show that he was ready for immediate34 action.
The captain went on,-
"The weather is beautifully fine, Dick, and I see no prospect35 of the wind freshening; but come what may, I have one direction to give you which I strictly36 enforce. You must not leave the ship. If I want you to follow us, I will hoist37 a flag on the boat-hook."
"You may trust me, sir," answered Dick; "and I will keep a good look-out."
"All right, my lad; keep a cool head and a good heart. You are second captain now, you know. I never heard of any one of your age being placed in such a post; be a credit to your position!"
"The lad may be trusted," murmured the captain to himself; "he is as modest as he is courageous39. Yes; he may be trusted."
It cannot be denied that the captain was not wholly without compunction at the step he was taking; he was aware of the danger to which he was exposing himself, but he beguiled40 himself with the persuasion41 that it was only for a few hours; and his fisherman's instinct was very keen. It was not only for himself; the desire upon the part of the crew was almost irresistibly42 strong that every opportunity ought to be employed for making the cargo43 of the schooner equal to her owner's expectations. And so he finally prepared to start.
"I wish you all success!" said Mrs. Weldon.
"Many thanks!" he replied.
"And you will try and catch the whale without hurting him much?"
"All right, young gentleman," answered the captain; "he shall hardly feel the tip of our fingers!"
"Sometimes," said Cousin Benedict, as if he had been pondering the expedition in relation to his pet science, "sometimes there are strange insects clinging to the backs of these great mammifers; do you think you are likely to procure45 me any specimens46?"
"You shall soon have the opportunity of investigating for yourself," was the captain's reply.
"And you, Tom; we shall be looking to you for help in cutting up our prize, when we get it alongside," continued he.
"We shall be quite ready, sir," said the negro.
"One thing more, Dick," added the captain; "you may as well be getting up the empty barrels out of the hold; they will be all ready."
If everything went well it was the intention that the whale after it had been killed should be towed to the side of the schooner, where it would be firmly lashed48. Then the sailors with their feet in spiked49 shoes would get upon its back and proceed to cut the blubber, from head to tail, in long strips, which would first be divided into lumps about a foot and a half square, the lumps being subsequently chopped into smaller portions capable of being stored away in casks. The ordinary rule would be for a ship, as soon as the flaying50 was complete, to make its way to land where the blubber could be at once boiled down, an operation by which it is reduced by about a third of its weight, and by which it yields all its oil, the only portion of it which is of any value. Under present circumstances, however, Captain Hull would not think of melting down the blubber until his arrival at Valparaiso, and as he was sanguine51 that the wind would soon set in a favourable52 direction, he calculated that he should reach that port in less than three weeks, a period during which his cargo would not be deteriorated53.
The latest movement with regard to the "Pilgrim" had been to bring her somewhat nearer the spot where the spouts54 of vapour indicated the presence of the coveted55 prize. The creature continued to swim about in the reddened waters, opening and shutting its huge jaws56 like an automaton57, and absorbing at every mouthful whole myriads58 of animalcula. No one entertained a fear that it would try to make an escape; it was the unanimous verdict that it was "a fighting whale," and one that would resist all attacks to the very end.
As Captain Hull descended59 the rope-ladder and took his place in the front of the boat, Mrs. Weldon and all on board renewed their good wishes.
Dingo stood with his fore6 paws upon the taffrail, and appeared as much as any to be bidding the adventurous60 party farewell.
When the boat pushed off, those who were left on board the "Pilgrim" made their way slowly to the bows, from which the most extensive view was to be gained.
The captain's voice came from the retreating boat,-
"A sharp look-out, Dick; a sharp look-out; one eye on us, one on the ship!"
[Illustration: The Captain's voice came from the retreating boat. Page 72]
[Illustration: "I must get you to keep your eye upon that man " Page 73.]
"Ay, ay, sir," replied the apprentice.
By his gestures the captain showed that he was under some emotion; he called out again, but the boat had made such headway that it was too far off for any words to be heard.
Dingo broke out into a piteous howl.
The dog was still standing61 erect62, his eye upon the boat in the distance. To the sailors, ever superstitious63, the howling was not reassuring64. Even Mrs. Weldon was startled.
"Why, Dingo, Dingo," she exclaimed, "this isn't the way to encourage your friends. Come here, sir; you must behave better than that!"
Sinking down on all fours the animal walked slowly up to Mrs. Weldon, and began to lick her hand.
As she turned her head, Mrs Weldon caught sight of Negoro making his way to the forecastle, probably actuated by the general spirit of curiosity to follow the maneuvers67 of the whale-boat. He stopped and seized a handspike as soon as he saw the ferocious68 attitude of the dog.
The lady was quite unable to pacify69 the animal, which seemed about to fly upon the throat of the cook, but Dick Sands called out loudly,-
"Down, Dingo, down!"
The dog obeyed; but it seemed to be with extreme reluctance70 that he returned to Dick's side; he continued to growl, as if still remembering his rage. Negoro had turned very pale, and having put down the handspike, made his way cautiously back to his own quarters.
"Hercules," said Dick, "I must get you to keep your eye upon that man."
Dick took his station at the helm, whence he kept an earnest watch upon the whale-boat, which under the vigourous plying72 of the seamen's oars had become little more than a speck73 upon the water.
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1
prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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hull
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| n.船身；(果、实等的)外壳；vt.去(谷物等)壳 | |
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remonstrance
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| n抗议，抱怨 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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fore
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| adv.在前面；adj.先前的；在前部的；n.前部 | |
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slung
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| 抛( sling的过去式和过去分词 )； 吊挂； 遣送； 押往 | |
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8
oar
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| n.桨，橹，划手；v.划行 | |
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complement
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| n.补足物，船上的定员；补语；vt.补充，补足 | |
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entrusted
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| v.委托，托付( entrust的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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premature
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| adj.比预期时间早的；不成熟的，仓促的 | |
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omen
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| n.征兆，预兆；vt.预示 | |
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apprentice
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| n.学徒，徒弟 | |
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schooner
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| n.纵帆船 | |
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murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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16
oars
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| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
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17
harpoon
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| n.鱼叉；vt.用鱼叉叉，用鱼叉捕获 | |
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harpooner
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hurl
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| vt.猛投，力掷，声叫骂 | |
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cannon
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| n.大炮，火炮；飞机上的机关炮 | |
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frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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apparatus
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| n.装置，器械；器具，设备 | |
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23
costly
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| adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的 | |
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averse
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| adj.厌恶的；反对的，不乐意的 | |
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harpoons
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| n.鱼镖，鱼叉( harpoon的名词复数 )v.鱼镖，鱼叉( harpoon的第三人称单数 ) | |
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26
favourably
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| adv. 善意地，赞成地 =favorably | |
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28
supple
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| adj.柔软的，易弯的，逢迎的，顺从的，灵活的；vt.使柔软，使柔顺，使顺从；vi.变柔软，变柔顺 | |
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29
insufficient
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| adj.(for，of)不足的，不够的 | |
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30
implements
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| n.工具( implement的名词复数 )；家具；手段；[法律]履行（契约等）v.实现( implement的第三人称单数 )；执行；贯彻；使生效 | |
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31
braced
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| adj.拉牢的v.支住( brace的过去式和过去分词 )；撑牢；使自己站稳；振作起来 | |
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32
stationary
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| adj.固定的，静止不动的 | |
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33
tightened
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| 收紧( tighten的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）变紧； （使）绷紧； 加紧 | |
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34
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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hoist
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| n.升高，起重机，推动；v.升起，升高，举起 | |
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38
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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39
courageous
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| adj.勇敢的，有胆量的 | |
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40
beguiled
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| v.欺骗( beguile的过去式和过去分词 )；使陶醉；使高兴；消磨（时间等） | |
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41
persuasion
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| n.劝说；说服；持有某种信仰的宗派 | |
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42
irresistibly
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| adv.无法抵抗地，不能自持地；极为诱惑人地 | |
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43
cargo
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| n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物 | |
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44
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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45
procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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46
specimens
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| n.样品( specimen的名词复数 )；范例；（化验的）抽样；某种类型的人 | |
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47
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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48
lashed
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| adj.具睫毛的v.鞭打( lash的过去式和过去分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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49
spiked
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| adj.有穗的；成锥形的；有尖顶的 | |
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50
flaying
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| v.痛打( flay的现在分词 )；把…打得皮开肉绽；剥（通常指动物）的皮；严厉批评 | |
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51
sanguine
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| adj.充满希望的，乐观的，血红色的 | |
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52
favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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53
deteriorated
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| 恶化，变坏( deteriorate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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54
spouts
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| n.管口( spout的名词复数 )；（喷出的）水柱；（容器的）嘴；在困难中v.（指液体）喷出( spout的第三人称单数 )；滔滔不绝地讲；喋喋不休地说；喷水 | |
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55
coveted
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| adj.令人垂涎的；垂涎的，梦寐以求的v.贪求，觊觎(covet的过去分词)；垂涎；贪图 | |
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56
jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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57
automaton
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| n.自动机器，机器人 | |
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myriads
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| n.无数，极大数量( myriad的名词复数 ) | |
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59
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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60
adventurous
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| adj.爱冒险的；惊心动魄的，惊险的，刺激的 | |
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61
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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62
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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superstitious
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| adj.迷信的 | |
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64
reassuring
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| a.使人消除恐惧和疑虑的，使人放心的 | |
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savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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66
growl
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| v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣 | |
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67
maneuvers
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| n.策略，谋略，花招( maneuver的名词复数 ) | |
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68
ferocious
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| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
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69
pacify
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| vt.使(某人)平静(或息怒)；抚慰 | |
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70
reluctance
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| n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿 | |
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71
clenching
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| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的现在分词 ) | |
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72
plying
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| v.使用（工具）( ply的现在分词 )；经常供应（食物、饮料）；固定往来；经营生意 | |
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speck
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| n.微粒，小污点，小斑点 | |
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