"Mr.Bolton, brace up the mizzen-top-sail! Hoist and swing the boats! Lower away!" In another moment three boats struck the water, and their respective crews tumbled tumultuously into them.

Fred and Singleton sprang into the stern-sheets of the captain's boat just as it pushed off, and, in less than five minutes, the three boats were bounding over the sea in the direction of the whale like race-horses.

Every man did his best, and the tough oars bent like hoops as each boat's crew strove to outstrip the others..