He had crossed the ship's course, and the head boat was nearly two miles off the starboard bow, the stern boat rapidly coming up.
The water just ahead of the boat began to quiver and curl into eddies, then the huge monster lifted himself, as it were, high above the surface, struck his flukes, and lashed the sea into a foam.

This lasted for several minutes, the boat pulling for him with all the strength of her oarsmen.

But when nearly alongside of the whale she suddenly slackened her speed, then stopped, then went "astern hard." It was evident to those on board the ship that something was wrong, for the boat seemed to be manoeuvring more for her own safety than to gain a position from which a lance could be hurled with effect.
"Too many landsmen in that boat!" said the old captain, who had been carefully watching every movement through his glass; now hoping, now fearing.

He shook his head doubtingly, and paced the deck nervously for several minutes.

Then, as if there was something it was necessary for him to set right, he turned to the officer of the watch, and ordered him to have the third boat manned.