Dick had suddenly loomed up out of the water, not very far to leeward; whereupon, the fourth rigged boat — a reserved one — had been instantly lowered in chase.

After a keen sail before the wind, this fourth boat — the swiftest keeled of all — seemed to have succeeded in fastening — at least, as well as the man at the mast-head could tell anything about it. In the distance he saw the diminished dotted boat; and then a swift gleam of bubbling white water; and after that nothing more; whence it was concluded that the stricken whale must have indefinitely run away with his pursuers, as often happens. There was some apprehension, but no positive alarm, as yet. The recall signals were placed in the rigging; darkness came on; and forced to pick up her three far to windward boats — ere going