nearly two p.m.
The captain , however , was very kind , expressing his pleasure at seeing us all safe back again , although he warned me solemnly against similar investigations in future . A hearty meal and a good rest did wonders in removing the severe effects of our adventure , so that by next morning we were all fit and ready for the days work again . It certainly seemed as if I was in for a regular series of troubles . After cruising till nearly two p.m. , we fell in with the mate 's boat , and were sailing quietly along side by side , when we suddenly rounded a point and ran almost on top of a bull-humpback that was basking in the beautiful sunshine . The mate 's harpooner , a wonderfully smart fellow , was not so startled as to lose his chance , getting an iron well home before the animal realized what had befallen him . We had a lovely fight , lasting over an hour , in which all the marvellous agility with which this whale is gifted was exerted to the full in order to make his escape . But with the bottom not twenty fathoms away , we were sure of him .