Now and then the porpoise would get stranded in the shallow water, and at such times Jimmy was put to his wits’ ends to manage. But by slow degrees he succeeded in accomplishing the object he had in view.
Of course the others did not wait for him, but ran back to where the camp was to be made for the night. Josh was anxious to get ashore, and start a fire; for all of them confessed to being hungry. Nick only made one more remark on the way back, and that gave them an inkling of his ruling passion.
“I say, Jack, do you know whether a porpoise is good to eat?” he asked.
Jack replied that he had never heard of any one eating one, though perhaps the meat might appeal to certain appetites, like those of Esquimaux, or the Indians of Alaska.
“I don’t think we’ll bother about it, however,” Josh remarked, “because we’ve got plenty besides.”
Supper was well on the way when finally Jimmy landed, his beaming face wet with honest perspiration, and filled with the pride that followed his recent exploit.
They all came down to view his capture, and estimate the weight of the porpoise. The opinion seemed to be that, while a small one, it must weigh something close on to two hundred and fifty pounds; but Nick declared he would have to demand the proof before giving in.