“The whale inshore was lying quietly, but Eric sent the boat along as though his life hung on success. He drove the men till the oars bent like whip-shafts; he drove them and he drove himself; and they ran fair upon the creature before they realized their speed. Then, at Eric’s cry, the boat steerer in the bow leaped up and drove the harpoons home, and the boat sheered off while Eric changed places with the man.
“They had struck a cow whale, a right whale, with a calf not a week old tucked under her fin; and the little thing lay there, lifting its tiny spout against its mother’s side, its fins feebly fanning.
“A cow whale is the easiest of game; and there is no sentiment in the whaling ships. If the Pownal had been empty, she would have been counted clear gain. With the Pownal full to brimming, this that Eric was doing was mere murderous slaughter.
“When Eric saw that he was cheated of the battle he had craved, a fury seized him. He shouted hoarsely to his boat steerer, and the man swung them in alongside the whale. The great mother had not stirred, save for a trembling shudder of her whole bulk when the irons seized upon her. The calf was fighting to escape, but the mother’s great fin pinioned it against her side, soothingly, assuringly, as though she promised it should be safe there.
“Eric lifted his lance and pierced the mother, driving home the steel for six feet into the great body; and he withdrew it, and prodded the vitals of the whale again and again, with a desperate energy, pouring out the fire of his own strength in his efforts.
“It was like piercing butter with a hatpin; and this dull acquiescence on the creature’s part only whetted Eric’s blind rage. When at the last the great flukes lifted once, his heart leaped with the hope that at the end there might come the struggle and the opposition for which he hungered; but agony had lifted the flukes, and the bursting heart of the mother brought them gently down again, never even disturbing the little creature at her side.
“She died; a thrust killed the calf. The boat sheered out; and then the boat steerer shouted a warning from the stern.
“Eric whirled and saw a great bull whale just emerging from the depths; and the whale headed for them furiously.
“I do not say the creature was the dead cow’s mate. It would not be strange if this were so; but it need not be asserted. I do not say the bull attacked the boat. He was badly gallied, he was running blindly.
“But whatever the explanation, he charged them; and Eric shouted triumphantly at thought that here was the adversary he had desired.