Various rigs were used: lug, spritsail, and sometimes a jib was set, all designed, however, for quick manipulation. When sailing, the boat was steered by a rudder; at all other times by the long steering oar. Meantime the harpooneer was busy with the whale line, running it from the tub, round the loggerhead and forward to the chocks, coiling the “box warp” and attaching his two irons. [Illustration] _WAIFING_ When a heavy swell was running it was often impossible for the men in the boats to see the whale, so the lookout at the masthead signalled the direction by means of a flag or “waif.” [Illustration] “_GOING ON_” The angle of vision of the whale was very limited, so the approach was made, if possible, from the right rear, except in the case of a left handed boatsteerer. On nearing the quarry oars were sometimes replaced by paddles. At the right moment the officer made a sign to the boatsteerer to stand by. The latter unshipped his oar and looked to his harpoons to see that all was clear. A second iron was attached by a “short warp” on a running bowline to the whale line, and lay handy, alongside number one. The boatsteerer did not lift his harpoon and stand poised in readiness. In the excitement attending the crucial moment, he might succumb to buck-fever and be unable to let go. Instead--he flexed his fingers or rubbed his hands up and down his legs, his eye on the whale, waiting for the command. [Illustration] “_GIVE IT TO HIM!_” Like a flash he grasped his iron, and with every ounce of his strength darted it “up to the hitches.” Then the second iron if possible. If the second could not be used, it was at once thrown overboard, out of the way, to be retrieved later. [Illustration] _SOUNDING_ The instant command was “Stern all!!”--and the boat was backed out of range of the great flaying tail. Many things might happen in the next few moments. The whale might “run”--he might turn and attack the boat with open jaws, or “sound.” The boatsteerer and the officer exchanged places. The line ran out at such speed that water had to be thrown into the tub to prevent the line setting fire to the loggerhead. [Illustration] _A BREACH_ Should the whale sound, he would stay down an hour or longer, taking out at times all the line of one or more boats. If he took all from one and no neighbouring boat was handy to supply more, a wooden contrivance for retarding his speed called a “drug” was made fast to the end of the line and cast loose. The men peaked their oars, waiting for the whale to reappear. His reappearance was not a modest drifting to the surface. He was thoroughly enraged, and he came up in a manner dramatic and picturesque. Suddenly, with the speed of an express train, he rose from the bottom, often making a clean leap out of the water and coming down with a mighty splash. Lucky the boat’s crew that was not caught underneath. [Illustration] _A “CHAWED” BOAT_