While I was making these observations, we were rapidly advancing towards
the object of them, which, seemingly in doubt whether to take our visit in
enmity or friendship, continued to gaze at our approach as it lay (standing
not being one of its faculties) at its full height upon a block of ice,
about eight feet above the surface of the sea. It must have climbed this
elevation by crawling up one side of the frozen mass, which was shelving
and easy of access, by means of its tusks and flippers; but, whatever was
its way of mounting the acclivity, it quickly showed us how it managed to
descend; for, upon a couple of bullets passing through its neck, it gave
itself a heave backward, rolled overhead and heels down the slope of the
hummock, and was launched violently into the water by the precipitate rush
of its heavy body. No sooner did it find itself in its most natural
element, than it prepared to dive; but this manoeuvre had been foreseen,
and the stern of the boat was on its back at the moment it was about to
disappear, and the captain exerting all his force, after striking the
weapon with a sudden plunge against its tough hide, drove the harpoon
through its skin, and allowed it to make its vain attempt at escape.
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