They may do it once, but they don't want to do it again.

It is this disposition that makes 'em easy to catch in traps.

I believe you are right, Mr.Gibbs.I believe this whale has got in here and can't get out--or, at least, he thinks he can't--and nobody knows how long it's been since he first got in.

It may have been a hundred years ago.
There's plenty o' little fish in these waters for him to eat, and he's the only one there is to feed." The thought that in this polar sea with themselves was a great whale, which was probably here simply because he could not get out, had a depressing effect upon the minds of the party on the Dipsey.

There was perhaps no real reason why they should fear the fate of the great fish, but, after all, this subject was one which should be very seriously considered.