"You are sure of that?"
"O, I have seen it a hundred times in Baffin's Bay! I don't see why the same shouldn't be the case in Melville Bay."
"You must be right, Simpson."
"And see," Simpson continued as he leaned over the rail,—"see there, Doctor."
"One would say it was the track of a ship."
"Well," said Simpson, "it's an oily substance that the whale leaves behind it. Really, the whale itself can't be far off."
In fact, the atmosphere was filled with a strong fishy smell. The doctor began to examine the surface of the sea, and the harpooner's prediction was soon verified. Foker was heard shouting from aloft,—
"A whale to leeward!"
All turned their eyes in that direction; a low spout was seen rising from the sea about a mile from the brig.