"He can't be far off when he comes up again. Look at the men old Worth has got aloft there, his crosstrees swarming, and every rattlin manned.--Look sharp! all of ye! We must see that whale when he first breaks water. That helm eased down? Haul the foresail up? and let the jib-sheets flow a little more. It can't be possible that whale has been up--no, we couldn't help seeing him, some of us--I _know_ 'twas a sperm whale. I saw his fan; besides, there's Mr. Johnson--best eyes in the ship. What time is it, there? An hour and ten minutes that whale has been down--a long-winded old dog! We shall have to wear round, I'm afraid we shall forge. _Blo-o-ows!_ right ahead, not one mile off! Down there and lower away! Now, Mr. Grafton, work carefully--Mr. Dunham, too; if you don't strike this rising, spread your chances well, and don't crowd each other--_but don't you let the Pandora get him!_" The captain was by this time in the stern of his own boat. "All ready, Mr. Johnson? Where's Old Jeff at my midship oar? O, here you are, eh? You aint turned white yet--lower away! Cooper! Where's Cooper? As soon as we are all clear, wear round--_Let run that davit fall?_--Wear round and make a short board--haul up your tackle, boy. Keep to windward all you can, Cooper! Pull a little off the weather-bow, Mr. Grafton, and then set your sail! Haul in these gripes towing over the quarter--By thunder, there's Worth's boats all down! coming with fair wind, too! Out oars, lads." The Pandora had luffed to and dropped her boats a mile to windward, and they were coming down before the breeze, wing-and-wing, with their paddles flashing in the sunlight, and their immense jibs guyed out on the bow-oar as studdingsails, promising to stand about an equal chance for the whale with ourselves. The larboard boat to which I belonged proved the fastest of the three, and had a little the lead. After pulling a few quiet strokes to windward, Father Grafton set his sails, and, as he gave the order to "peak the oars and take the paddles," seemed as cool and calm as when engaged in the most ordinary duty on board. There was no confusion or bustle in his boat, but with his practised eye fixed upon the huge spermaceti, he kept encouraging us in a low, dry tone, as he conned the steering oar with such skill, that he seemed to do it without effort.