An account of several late voyages and discoveries

to Spitzbergen. J 5.9 boat, for then the Long-boat would be over– fet, and many Men lofe their Lives, if other Long-boats were not near to their Affillance. The Line muft run juft before, in the middle of the Long-boat, that is caJled the St•ve h}" the Seamen, and by reafon of this frrong and violent Motion, the Wood and Rope wouk:l be fet on fire. But to prevent this, the Har– poonier hath a wet Rag tied to a Stick ( like un– to a Mop) ready at hand, wherewith he wets the Wood without ceafing. The other three Men that are in the Long-bo~ts take alfo care of the Lines, as well when they are let out, as when they are taken in again; and when they cannot hold it with their Hands, thcy wind it about the Staves of thc Boat, and fo they do ftop it from going any further. Another, that is cal– kd the Steerman, frands behind in the Long· boat, as you may fee by o in the Tab. A, and fteers the Boat with an Oar, and he takes great Care, and minds che Rope, to fce which way it runs out, for if it doth go towards either fide, and doth not run juft before over the Stave, he fo ~uides the Boar, that it may ran exalUy out betore. The Whale runs away with the Long– boat as fwift as the Wind. If the Harpoonier can, he doth dart the Harpoon juft behind the Spout-hole of the ,vhale, or in the thick Fat of his.Back,where they.alfo do launce him, for that maketh 1: :.m f pout Bfood fooner than if wound.. ed in any other place, and die fooner than if you fliould launcc them into their Bcllr, or through the Guts. Thc fidl U' h.,/e we caught fpoutcd