- end_line
- 4356
- extracted_at
- 2026-01-30T20:48:18.535Z
- extracted_by
- structure-extraction-lambda
- start_line
- 4284
- text
- CHAPTER XXXVIII.
The Sea On Fire
The night following our abandonment of the Parki, was made memorable by
a remarkable spectacle.
Slumbering in the bottom of the boat, Jarl and I were suddenly awakened
by Samoa. Starting, we beheld the ocean of a pallid white color,
corruscating all over with tiny golden sparkles. But the pervading hue
of the water cast a cadaverous gleam upon the boat, so that we looked
to each other like ghosts. For many rods astern our wake was revealed
in a line of rushing illuminated foam; while here and there beneath the
surface, the tracks of sharks were denoted by vivid, greenish trails,
crossing and recrossing each other in every direction. Farther away,
and distributed in clusters, floated on the sea, like constellations in
the heavens, innumerable Medusae, a species of small, round, refulgent
fish, only to be met with in the South Seas and the Indian Ocean.
Suddenly, as we gazed, there shot high into the air a bushy jet of
flashes, accompanied by the unmistakable deep breathing sound of a
sperm whale. Soon, the sea all round us spouted in fountains of fire;
and vast forms, emitting a glare from their flanks, and ever and anon
raising their heads above water, and shaking off the sparkles, showed
where an immense shoal of Cachalots had risen from below to sport in
these phosphorescent billows.
The vapor jetted forth was far more radiant than any portion of the
sea; ascribable perhaps to the originally luminous fluid contracting
still more brilliancy from its passage through the spouting canal of
the whales.
We were in great fear, lest without any vicious intention the
Leviathans might destroy us, by coming into close contact with our
boat. We would have shunned them; but they were all round and round us.
Nevertheless we were safe; for as we parted the pallid brine, the
peculiar irradiation which shot from about our keel seemed to deter
them. Apparently discovering us of a sudden, many of them plunged
headlong down into the water, tossing their fiery tails high into the
air, and leaving the sea still more sparkling from the violent surging
of their descent.
Their general course seemed the same as our own; to the westward. To
remove from them, we at last out oars, and pulled toward the north. So
doing, we were steadily pursued by a solitary whale, that must have
taken our Chamois for a kindred fish. Spite of all our efforts, he drew
nearer and nearer; at length rubbing his fiery flank against the
Chamois’ gunwale, here and there leaving long strips of the glossy
transparent substance which thin as gossamer invests the body of the
Cachalot.
In terror at a sight so new, Samoa shrank. But Jarl and I, more used to
the intimate companionship of the whales, pushed the boat away from it
with our oars: a thing often done in the fishery.
The close vicinity of the whale revived in the so long astute Skyeman
all the enthusiasm of his daring vocation. However quiet by nature, a
thorough-bred whaleman betrays no little excitement in sight of his
game. And it required some persuasion to prevent Jarl from darting his
harpoon: insanity under present circumstances; and of course without
object. But “Oh! for a dart,” cried my Viking. And “Where’s now our old
ship?” he added reminiscently.
But to my great joy the monster at last departed; rejoining the shoal,
whose lofty spoutings of flame were still visible upon the distant line
of the horizon; showing there, like the fitful starts of the Aurora
Borealis.
The sea retained its luminosity for about three hours; at the
expiration of half that period beginning to fade; and excepting
occasional faint illuminations consequent upon the rapid darting of
fish under water, the phenomenon at last wholly disappeared.
- title
- Chunk 1