"I agree, my friend, with what Scoresby said about these differently colored waters," answered the doctor, "namely, that the blue water does not contain the millions of animalcules and medusæ which the green water contains; he made a great many experiments to test it, and I am ready to agree with him."
"O, but there's something else it shows!"
"What is that?"
"Well, if the Forward were only a whaler, I believe we should have some sport."
"But," answered the doctor, "I don't see any whales."
"We shall very soon, though, I promise you. It's great luck for a whaler to see those green patches in these latitudes."
"Why so?" asked the doctor, whose curiosity was aroused by these remarks of a man who had had experience in what he was talking about.
"Because," answered Simpson, "it is in that green water that most of the whales are caught."
"What is the reason, Simpson?"
"Because they get more food there."