But there
are instances where, after the lapse of many hours or several days,
the sunken whale again rises, more buoyant than in life.
But the reason of this is obvious. Gases are generated in him;
he swells to a prodigious magnitude; becomes a sort of animal balloon.
A line-of-battle ship could hardly keep him under then.
In the Shore Whaling, on soundings, among the Bays of New Zealand,
when a Right Whale gives token of sinking, they fasten buoys
to him, with plenty of rope; so that when the body has gone down,
they know where to look for it when it shall have ascended again.
It was not long after the sinking of the body that a cry
was heard from the Pequod's mast-heads, announcing that the
Jungfrau was again lowering her boats; though the only spout
in sight was that of a Fin-Back, belonging to the species of
uncapturable whales, because of its incredible power of swimming.
Nevertheless, the Fin-Back's spout is so similar to the Sperm Whale's,
that by unskilful fishermen it is often mistaken for it.
And consequently Derick and all his host were now in valiant
chase of this unnearable brute. The Virgin crowding all sail,
made after her four young keels, and thus they all disappeared
far to leeward, still in bold, hopeful chase.
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