"'Sperm whale, sir, three pints on the weather-bow, and about two miles off!'
"'Keep a sharp eye, and sing out when the ship heads for her!'
"'Ay, ay, sir.'
"The captain went aloft with his spy-glass. 'Keep her away!' was his next order to the man at the helm.
"'Steady!' sung out the mast-head.
"'Steady it is!' answered the wheel.
"'Square in the after-yards, and call all hands!'
"'Ay, ay, sir.'
"'Forward there! Haul the mainsail up, and square the yards!'
"'Steady, steady!' sings out the mast-head.