Introduction

All whale boats carry certain curious contrivances, originally invented by the nantucket indians, called drugs. Two thick squares of wood of equal size are stoutly clenched together so that they cross each other's grain at right angles. It is chiefly among galleyed whales that this drog is used for. Then more whales are close round you than you can possibly chase at one time. But sperm whales are not every day encountered. While you may, then you must kill all you can. And if you cannot kill them all at once, you must wing them so that they can be afterwards killed at your leisure. Our boat was furnished with three of them. The first and second