If the animal was of a ferocious character, none cared to await its attack.
As to the large ships and coast steamers, they had nothing to fear from any monster, whale or otherwise.

Several of them had seen this creature at a distance of some miles.

But when they attempted to approach, it fled rapidly away.

One day, even, a fast United States gun boat went out from Boston, if not to pursue the monster, at least to send after it a few cannon shot.

Almost instantly the animal disappeared, and the attempt was vain.