To escape the infliction, he retreated to the quarter deck, where he stood ready to repel any thankful survivors who might creep upon him. Tom was busy asking questions about the whole unfortunate business, for he had a very inquisitive mind, had Tom. Jeems, however, was the only one among the gallant survivors inclined to humor him. Jim was looking longingly over the expanse of ocean, not thinking of his dripping clothes, but as though he had lost something, as indeed he had. He was minus one large whaleboat and one small boat. It was not the boat, however, that he was looking for, and no one but Jim would have taken a continued interest in his whaleship but would have given him up for lost.
“jim stood prepared to aim.”—P. [61].
“There he blows!” he cried suddenly. “Let’s try for him again.”
“No more of that,” roared the captain. “Not while I’m alive on this boat.” Jim smiled. He had not really intended to go after him in the boat because he realized how foolhardy such a performance would be, but he had another scheme in mind, and he prepared to carry it out.
“Come on, boys, let’s give him a shot from the cannon,” he cried.
“That’s the idea!” exclaimed Juarez. “We will bring the ship up close enough to get a good aim.”
“I’d like to get even with him for the kick he gave me,” cried Jo viciously.
“Well, you boys are the beatingest,” remarked the captain.
But he made no objection to this plan, and took the wheel himself, so as to maneuver the Sea Eagle to within good striking distance of the big mammal. Meanwhile, the boys lost no time in getting the small cannon ready for the fray. All was excitement and energy. Here was a target worth shooting at. The whale seemed to be resting after his recent exertions, and was rolling easily on the surface of the ocean.