noon
There are several such harpoons , and two or three long lances ; besides , a lantern , light-box , some small flags , and two or more `` drogues , '' which are square bits of board to be fastened to the harpoon line , in order to hinder the whale when sinking or swimming away . It was some time before we fell in with a sperm whale . Men were stationed at the mast-head and yardarm , on the look-out for whales , from sunrise to sunset ; but it was two weeks before we got to our fishing-ground . One day , at noon , while those on deck had their eyes on the galley , waiting for dinner , we were aroused by a cry from the mast-head , of `` There she spouts . '' `` Where away ? '' asked Captain Grimes . The man pointed to the west , and there , not half a mile off , a thin jet of water was seen rising from a dark object , which we soon saw to be a huge whale , as long as the ship , `` There again , '' cried the crew , as once more the jet rose high .