"The great sea is wide, sir," he replied. "The fog confused them, and they must have rowed in the wrong direction, been caught in one of the strong currents, and then tried to reach home as they could not find their ship. There are terrible losses out here in some summers." "Was it near here that they were lost?" said Steve, after a few minutes' silence, during which he pictured the sufferings of the despairing boat's crew. "No, sir, more to the east, by Novaya-Zemlya." "How horrible!" said Steve with a shudder. "Tell me about something else." "Yes, sir; I don't want to what the English sailors call spin yarns; that seemed to come naturally after our escape." "Yes, of course; but tell me this, Johannes. Next time we go off after one of those shoals of white whales--" "What, sir! you would go again?" said the great amiable-looking fellow, smiling. "Of course." "And run risks?" "Oh, I hope there would not be any risk; but you wouldn't have me play the coward always because we were in danger once?" "No, no, sir, of course not," said the Norseman, patting the boy on the shoulder. "Well, what if we go after the white whale again? I was trying to make out a school with the glass when you spoke and made me jump. Their oil is so fine and valuable." "Yes, I know," said Steve impatiently; "but if we do go after a school again, I want you to let me try and harpoon one." There was not much room to move, but Johannes, as he smiled in his big, solemn way, managed to take hold of the boy's arm, and gave the biceps a firm grip. "Shut your hand tight and double up your arm," he said; and Steve obeyed. "Good; that will do. Now take hold of mine." He imitated the boy's action, and Steve imitated his, taking hold of a huge mass of muscle that stood right out like a partially compressed ball. Steve coloured a little at the man's quiet way of showing him the tremendous difference between them in the point of force. "Well," said Johannes, smiling, "do you still think that you would like to try?" "Yes. I know I'm only a boy, and can't pretend to have a man's strength; but I should like to try. Don't laugh at me, please." "No, I was only smiling, my lad. Why should I laugh at one who is young because he wishes to try to be brave and manly and shows a desire to learn?" "Oh, thank you!" cried Steve eagerly; "that is what I do feel, but people are so ready to banter and laugh at me." "It is foolish of them," said Johannes, "unless it is when a boy is what you call conceited and self-satisfied, and thinks that he is a man too soon." "I don't do that, indeed!" cried Steve. "You need not tell me so," said Johannes; "I can see that in your eyes, and I know it, my boy, from your words." "And you don't think it absurd of me to want to try and use the harpoon?"