In some past experience she had learned that these strange creatures, which seemed to have other creatures, very small, but very, very dangerous, inside of them, were the most to be dreaded of all the whale's enemies.

It was at present too far off for her to take alarm, but she lay watching the incomprehensible monster so sharply that she almost forgot to blow.
Presently she saw it crawl up quite close to the unsuspecting shape of one of her kinsmen.

A spiteful flame leapt from its head.

Then a sharp thunder came rapping across the waves, and she saw her giant kinsman hurl himself clear into the air.

He fell back with a terrific splash, which set the monster rolling, and, for perhaps a minute, his struggles lashed the sea into foam.