Page:Songs from the Southern Seas and Other Poems (1873).djvu/96

But that was the minute for us to work: the boats hauled in their slack,
And bent on the drag-tubs over the stern to tire and hold him back.
The bark was five miles to wind'ard, and the mate gave a troubled glance
At the sinking sun, and muttered, 'Boys, we must give him another lance.
Or he'll run till night; and, if he should head to wind'ard in the dark,
We'll be forced to cut loose and leave him, or else lose run of the bark.'
So we hauled in close, two boats at once, but only frightened the whale;
And, like a hound that was badly whipped, he turned and showed his tail,
With his head right dead to wind'ard; then as straight and as swift he sped
As a hungry shark for a swimming prey; and, bending over his head.
Like a mighty plume, went his bloody spout. Ah! shipmates, that was a sight