The South Sea Whaler

"I see some harpoons and spears sticking in the creature's back". exclaimed Walter. " They will be of use, if we cannot get anything else from it, as we shall be able to kill any dolphins or bonitoes 'which swim near us". said the mate. " I tink me get some slices of meat out of de back of de creature". said Nub. " We no want food now". " We shall find it rather high-flavoured and somewhat tough". observed the mate; "but it will keep body and soul together; and we must not be particular". Walter, though very hungry, felt no inclination to eat whale's blubber, especially if the creature had been dead for some time, though he had heard that the STRANGE APPEARANCE OF THE WHALE. 163 Eskimos consider it dainty food, and eat it in vast quantities. Poor Alice, who had been unable to swallow the mixture of flying-fish and oil, shuddered at the thought. " I see a quantity of gear hanging about the creature's head". said Walter; " and that makes me suppose that it must have been fast to a ship. If so, it cannot be a fish my father has struck; and some other whaler besides ours must be in the neighbourhood". " I am of your mind". said the mate. " We shall know for certain, when we get alongside, by the harpoons. However, the idea gives me hope that we shall obtain assistance before long". The voyagers weregradually approaching the monster, which was certainly not a spe. . .