Next moment the flukes came down on the part of the boat he had just left, and cut it clean off; the other part was driven into the waves, and the men were left swimming in the water.

They were all picked up, however, by another boat that was in company, and the harpooner was recovered with the rest.

His quick dive had been the saving of his life.
I had not much time given me to study the appearance of this whale before the order was given to "hoist away!" so we went to work with a will.

The first part that came up was the huge lip, fastened to a large iron hook, called the blubber hook.

It was lowered into the blubber-room between decks, where a couple of men were stationed to stow the blubber away.