"So they do sometimes, but not very often. You have learned from Captain Edwards of the instruments that are used to kill them—a harpoon and a lance. When the whale-boat comes near enough to the whale, the harpoon, to which a long rope is fastened, is thrown into him. The barb on the harpoon prevents its being pulled out, and the poor whale swims off, dragging the boat by the rope. When he becomes tired, the boat is drawn up, and he is killed with a thrust of the lance. Sometimes the blow of the harpoon kills him, but not often. Bomb-lances are now often used; they are fired from a heavy gun, and explode after entering the body of the whale, and of course kill him."
REAR VIEW, SHOWING THE FLUKES.
TOLLING THE BELL.