On the 20th of August last she reached what is well known to all whalers, as the “Off-shore ground,” in latitude five degrees fifty minutes south, longitude one hundred and twenty degrees west.  In the morning of that day, at about nine o’clock, whales were discovered in the neighborhood, and about noon, the same day, they succeeded in making fast to one.  Two boats had gone after the whales—­the larboard and the starboard, the former commanded by the first mate, the latter by Captain Deblois.  The whale which they had struck, was harpooned by the larboard boat.  After running some time, the whale turned upon the boat, and rushing at it with tremendous violence lifted open its enormous jaws, and taking the boat in, actually crushed it into fragments as small as a common chair!  Captain Deblois immediately struck for the scene of the disaster with the starboard boat, and succeeded, against all expectation, in rescuing the whole of the crew of the boat—­nine in number!

There were now eighteen men in the starboard boat, consisting of the captain, the first mate, and the crews of both boats.  The frightful disaster had been witnessed from the ship, and the waste boat was called into readiness, and sent to their relief.  The distance from the ship was about six miles.  As soon as the waste boat arrived, the crews were divided, and it was determined to pursue the same whale, and make another attack upon him.  Accordingly they separated, and proceeded at some distance from each other, as is usual on such occasions, after the whale.  In a short time, they came up to him, and prepared to give him battle.  The waste boat, commanded by the first mate, was in advance.  As soon as the whale perceived the demonstration being made upon him, he turned his course, suddenly, and making a tremendous dash at this boat, seized it with his wide-spread jaws, and crushed it to atoms, allowing the men barely time to escape his vengeance, by throwing themselves into the ocean.

Captain Deblois, again seeing the perilous condition of his men, at the risk of meeting the same fate, directed his boat to hasten to their rescue, and in a short time succeeded in saving them all from a death little less horrible than that from which they had twice as narrowly escaped.  He then ordered the boat to put for the ship as speedily as possible; and no sooner had the order been given, than they discovered the monster of the deep making toward them with his jaws widely extended.  Fortunately, the monster came up and passed them at a short distance.  The boat then made her way to the ship and they all got on board in safety.