“There she blows! There she blows!” yelled Sam. “Send her ahead, boys!”
[CHAPTER IX]
TOWED TO SEA
With hearts that beat hard and fast in the excitement of the moment, the three boys stood up to catch a glimpse of the ocean monster. It was the first whale they had ever seen, and they never had expected to view one in its native element.
Jerry’s hand trembled so he could scarcely send the sparking lever forward, to increase the speed of the craft. As it clicked over the rachet the Dartaway shot ahead. Sam, standing up in the bow, poised his arm to hurl the harpoon. Then, as though alarmed by the approach of the boat, and probably mistrusting the throbbing of the engine, the whale “sounded.”
With a turn of its massive flukes, it sunk downward into the depths whence it had emerged but a few minutes before to breathe.
“He’s gone!” exclaimed Bob.
“Quiet!” cautioned Sam. “That’s nothing.” He was speaking in a whisper. “Got to expect that. We’ll land him yet. Put her a little further out, skipper, and stand ready to go astern when I give the word.”
Slowing down the engine, Jerry steered the boat in obedience to motions from Sam’s hand. The old man kept his eye fixed on the water, as though he could see into the depths, and watch the whale coursing forward.