On that day, as we were on the look-out for sperm whales, and had actually struck two, which the boats' crews were following to secure, I perceived a very large one--it might be eighty or ninety feet long--rushing with great swiftness through the water, right towards the ship.

We hoped that she would turn aside, and dive under, when she perceived such a baulk in her way.

But no! the animal came full force against our stern-post: had any quarter less firm been struck, the vessel must have been burst; as it was, every plank and timber trembled, throughout her whole bulk.
'The whale, as though hurt by a severe and unexpected concussion, shook its enormous head, and sheered off to so considerable a distance that for some time we had lost sight of her from the starboard quarter; of which we were very glad, hoping that the worst was over.

Nearly an hour afterwards, we saw the same fish--we had no doubt of this, from her size, and the direction in which she came--making again towards us.

We were at once aware of our danger, but escape was impossible.