The Harpoon and the Headsman

The headsman, the chief officer of the little craft, takes his proper station in the bows of the boat. He should both dart, the harpoon and the lance. And no rowing whatever should be expected of him, except under circumstances obvious to any fisherman. It is customary to have two harpoons reposing in the crotch, respectively called the first and second irons. But these two harpoons, each by its own cord, are both connected with the line. The object being this to dart them both, if possible, one instantly after the other, into the same whale. In such cases the spare coils of box line, mentioned in a preceding chapter, making this feat