Chapter 5. At Random!

           ThevoyageoftheAbrahamLincolnwasforalongtimemarkedbynospecialincident.ButonecircumstancehappenedwhichshowedthewonderfuldexterityofNedLand,andprovedwhatconfidencewemightplaceinhim.

           The30thofJune,thefrigatespokesomeAmericanwhalers,fromwhomwelearnedthattheyknewnothingaboutthenarwhal.Butoneofthem,thecaptainoftheMonroe,knowingthatNedLandhadshippedonboardtheAbrahamLincoln,beggedforhishelpinchasingawhaletheyhadinsight.CommanderFarragut,desirousofseeingNedLandatwork,gavehimpermissiontogoonboardtheMonroe.AndfateservedourCanadiansowellthat,insteadofonewhale,heharpoonedtwowithadoubleblow,strikingonestraighttotheheart,andcatchingtheotheraftersomeminutes’pursuit.

           Decidedly,ifthemonstereverhadtodowithNedLand’sharpoon,Iwouldnotbetinitsfavour.

           Thefrigateskirtedthesouth-eastcoastofAmericawithgreatrapidity.The3rdofJulywewereattheopeningoftheStraitsofMagellan,levelwithCapeVierges.ButCommanderFarragutwouldnottakeatortuouspassage,butdoubledCapeHorn.

           Theship’screwagreedwithhim.Andcertainlyitwaspossiblethattheymightmeetthenarwhalinthisnarrowpass.Manyofthesailorsaffirmedthatthemonstercouldnotpassthere,"thathewastoobigforthat!"

           The6thofJuly,aboutthreeo’clockintheafternoon,theAbrahamLincoln,atfifteenmilestothesouth,doubledthesolitaryisland,thislostrockatthe