The horizon grew wider and clearer at the same time.

Suddenly, just as on the day before, Ned Land's voice was heard: "The thing itself on the port quarter!" cried the harpooner.
Every eye was turned towards the point indicated.

There, a mile and a half from the frigate, a long blackish body emerged a yard above the waves.

Its tail, violently agitated, produced a considerable eddy.
Never did a tail beat the sea with such violence.

An immense track, of dazzling whiteness, marked the passage of the animal, and described a long curve.
The frigate approached the cetacean.