Page:Songs from the Southern Seas and Other Poems (1873).djvu/94

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
90
SONGS FROM THE SOUTHERN SEAS.

Then we heard the Captain's order, 'Heave!' and saw the harpoon fly,
As the whales closed in with their open jaws: a shock, and a stifled cry
"Was all that we heard; then we looked to see if the crew were still afloat,—
But nothing was there save a dull red patch, and the boards of the shattered boat!
 
"But that was no time for mourning words: the other two boats came in.
And one got fast on the quarter, and one aft the starboard fin
Of the Amber Whale. For a minute he paused, as if he were in doubt
As to whether 'twas best to run or fight. 'Lay on!' the Mate roared out,
'And I'll give him a lance!' The boat shot in; and the Mate, when he saw his chance
Of sending it home to the vitals, four times he buried his lance.
A minute more, and a cheer went up, when we saw that his aim was good;