two p.m.
Nor , when the vast bulk and strength of the animal was considered , could a mightier example have been given of the force and quality of maternal love . The whole business was completed in half an hour from the first sight of her , and by the mate 's hand alone , none of the other boats needing to use their gear . As soon as she was dead , a hole was bored through the lips , into which a tow-line was secured , the two long fins were lashed close into the sides of the animal by an encircling line , the tips of the flukes were cut off , and away we started for the ship . We had an eight-mile tow in the blazing sun , which we accomplished in a little over eight , hours , arriving at the vessel just before two p.m. News of our coming had preceded us , and the whole native population appeared to be afloat to make us welcome . The air rang again with their shouts of rejoicing , for our catch represented to them a gorgeous feast , such as they had not indulged in for many a day . The flesh of the humpbacked whale is not at all bad , being but little inferior to that of the porpoise ; so that , as these people do not despise even the coarse rank flesh of the cachalot , their enthusiasm was natural . Their offers of help were rather embarrassing to us , as we could find little room for any of them in the boats , and the canoes only got in our way .