But he would hear to no remonstrance; and having pulled from his pocket a large jack-knife, opened it, and passing round to the edge where the whale lay, leaped upon its back, and in a few seconds liberated the harpoon.
A fellow-seaman now ran to his assistance, and likewise leaped upon its back, held up the line, while the other, raising the harpoon, drove it deep into its flesh.
Before they had finished, the monster was under way. But, straining every nerve, they leaped, and dashing through the water, seized hold of the ice, and once more obtained a firm footing.
Smarting under his new wound, the whale plunged against the ice, which it continued to break for some distance, when, exhausted, it gave up the contest, and sunk to the bottom of the water. It was subsequently hauled up, and proved to be a whale of the largest class.
The Life of Columbus.
CHAPTER I.
Introduction—Early life—Commences a sea-faring life—Columbus goes to Lisbon—His views about undiscovered land in the west—He pursues measures to go on a voyage of discovery—He applies to the court of Spain.
Who has not heard the name of Christopher Columbus—the bold navigator, or sailor, who first discovered America? Yet few children in the United States, perhaps, have read the story of his life. It is full of interest. Columbus was a remarkable man—remarkable for his courage—for his enterprise—for carrying through whatever he attempted. Few ever made greater exertion—few ever passed through severer trials and dangers—few, by one single act of their lives, were ever more useful to the world.
By the children of the United States, the name of Columbus should be had in honor. But for his enterprise, America would probably have remained unknown for many years longer. Before the voyage of Columbus, no one had crossed the Atlantic Ocean. At the present day, such a voyage is little more thought of than a journey to Quebec or Niagara. But at that time no one had ventured upon the undertaking. No such continent as America was known to exist, and the uncertainty of finding land, cast so much gloom upon a western voyage that few were willing even to think of it.