The strong breeze which brought Paddy and his whales home died down that night, enabling us to start for the grounds again—­a concession gratefully received, for not the least of the hindrances felt there was the liability to be “wind-bound” for a long time, while fine weather was prevailing at the fishing grounds.

We made a fine passage down the Straits with a leading wind, finding our two late companions still cruising, having managed to get their whales aboard without mishap, and being somewhat inclined to chaff our old man for running in.  He gave a wink full of wisdom, as he replied, “I’m pretty ole whale myself naouw; but I guess I ain’t too old to learn; ’n wut I learn I’m goin’ ter use.  See?” Of course the fine weather did not last long—­it never does; and seeing the gloomy masses of violet-edged cumuli piling up on the southern horizon, we hugged the Solander Rock itself pretty close, nor ventured far to seaward.  Our two consorts, on the contrary, kept well out and on the northern verge, as if they intended the next gale that blew to get north, if they could.  The old man’s object in thus keeping in was solely in order that he might be able to run for shelter; but, much to his delight and certainly surprise, as we passed about a mile to the southward of the lonely, towering crags of the great rock, there came from aloft the welcome cry of “Sperm whale!”

There was only one, and he was uncomfortably near the rock; but such a splendid chance was not to be missed, if our previous training was of any avail.  There was some speculation as to what he could be doing so close inshore, contrary to the habit of this animal, who seems to be only comfortable when in deep waters; but except a suggestion that perhaps he had come in to scrape off an extra accumulation of barnacles, nobody could arrive at any definite conclusion.  When we reached him, we found a frightful blind swell rolling, and it needed all our seamanship to handle the boats so that they should not be capsized.  Fortunately, the huge rollers did not break, or we should hardly have got back safely, whale or no whale.

Two irons were planted in him, of which he took not the slightest notice.  We had taken in sail before closing in to him on account of the swell, so that we had only to go in and finish him at once, if he would let us.  Accordingly, we went in with a will, but for all sign of life he showed he might as well have been stuffed.  There he lay, lazily spouting, the blood pouring, or rather spirting, from his numerous wounds, allowing us to add to their number at our pleasure, and never moving his vast body, which was gently swayed by the rolling sea.  Seeing him thus quiescent, the mate sent the other two boats back to the ship with the good news, which the captain received with a grave smile of content, proceeding at once to bring the ship as near as might be consistent with her safety.  We were now thoroughly sheltered from sight of the other ships by the enormous mass of the island, so that they had no idea of our proceedings.