Such a nice little school of cow-whales, a lovely breeze, clear sky, warm weather—­I felt as gay as a lark at the prospect.  As we were reaching to windward, with all boats ready for lowering, the skipper called me aft and said, “Naow, Mr. Bullen, I cain’t lower, because of this condemned leg’n arm of mine; but how’r yew goin’ ter manage ’thout a harpooneer?” I suggested that if he would allow me to try Samuela, who was suffering for a chance to distinguish himself, we would “come out on top.”  “All right,” he said; “but let the other boats get fast first, ’n doan be in too much of a hurry to tie yerself up till ya see what’s doin’.  If everythin’s goin’ bizness-fashion’, ’n yew git a chance, sail right in; yew got ter begin some time.  But ef thet Kanaka looks skeered goin’ on, take the iron frum him ter onct.”  I promised, and the interview ended.

When I told Samuela, of his chance, he was beside himself with joy.  As to his being scared, the idea was manifestly absurd.  He was as pleased with the prospect as it was possible for a man to be, and hardly able to contain himself for impatience to be off.  I almost envied him his exuberant delight, for a sense of responsibility began to weigh upon me with somewhat depressing effect.

We gained a good weather-gage, rounded to, and lowered four boats.  Getting away in good style, we had barely got the sails up, when something gallied the school.  We saw or heard nothing to account for it, but undoubtedly the “fish” were off at top speed dead to windward, so that our sails were of no use.  We had them in with as little delay as possible, and lay to our oars for all we were worth, being fresh and strong, as well as anxious to get amongst them.  But I fancy all our efforts would have availed us little had it not been for the experience of Mr. Cruce, whose eager eye detected the fact that the fish were running on a great curve, and shaped our course to cut them off along a chord of the arc.

Two and a half hours of energetic work was required of us before we got on terms with the fleeing monsters; but at last, to our great joy, they broke water from sounding right among us.  It was a considerable surprise, but we were all ready, and before they had spouted twice, three boats were fast, only myself keeping out, in accordance with my instructions.  Samuela was almost distraught with rage and grief at the condition of things.  I quite pitied him, although I was anything but pleased myself.  However, when I ranged up alongside the mate’s fish, to render what assistance was needed, he shouted to me, “We’s all right; go’n git fas’, if yew kin.”  That was enough, and away we flew after a retreating spout to leeward.  Before we got there, though, there was an upheaval in the water just ahead, and up came a back like a keelless ship bottom up.  Out came the head belonging to it, and a spout like an explosion burst forth, denoting the presence of an enormous bull-cachalot.  Close by his side