Percy was gazing intently southward.
"What's that white spot?" he asked, suddenly, pointing to a glittering patch fifty or sixty yards square.
"School of herring! Now look out for some fun! Something's liable to be after 'em any minute."
Hardly had the words left Jim's mouth when a great white streak moved rapidly toward the schooling fish.
"Whale!" shouted Spurling, excitedly. "Watch out!"
With a tremendous rush the huge, gleaming body shot suddenly clear of the water. For an instant it hung suspended, ten feet above the surface. Then, with a mighty splash, it dropped back, right amid the herring. The glittering school dispersed in a thousand directions, and the monster moved slowly off to the south.
"Biggest whale I ever saw," observed Jim. "Fully seventy feet long! Well, he's had one good meal. Wish we could say the same! Hungry, old man?"
"Yes; but more thirsty."
"Stick to it! Somebody's likely to show up at any time to-morrow and take us off."
"But if they don't—"