Whether he could or not his instinct seemed to tell him about where the creature would rise. The Dartaway had been sailing along not more than ten minutes when again came that curious boiling and bubbling of the water.
This time it was off to the left, about a quarter of a mile away. There was no need to tell Jerry in which direction to steer. He increased the speed of the engine, and was darting toward the spot, when once more the whale spouted.
“There she blows!” cried Bob, unable to withhold his enthusiasm.
“Easy now,” cautioned Sam. “We don’t want to frighten him again. Put me close, skipper.”
Jerry slowed down the motor, so as to make less noise and threw the wheel over. Nearer and nearer the craft approached the big creature, that was resting easily on the surface of the ocean.
But again they were doomed to disappointment. They were within a short distance of the monster, but not close enough to enable Sam to throw the harpoon, when the whale, with a mighty blow of its flukes, which raised a wave that careened the Dartaway, sank into the depths.
“We’ll never get him!” cried Ned.
“Leave it to Salt Water Sam,” was the old man’s reply.
Once more he scanned the water with his keen eye. Again Jerry, obeying the motions of his hand, sent the boat forward. The boys were now quite a distance from shore, and there was no other craft near them. The flotilla of boats was two miles away, still cruising around where the whale had first been seen, and the occupants looking for the monster were too far off to see what those in the Dartaway were about.
“Get ready!” came the old sailor’s voice, and, once more the boys’ hearts beat violently. Sam motioned for Jerry to steer the boat to the right. Hardly had the direction been changed than again there was that curious bubbling, and the whale spouted for the third time.