Freddy shouted at that ; for he knew what dyspepsia was , because at the sea-side there were many sickly people who were always groaning about that disease . `` It 's no laughing matter , I assure you , '' said the whale 's bone . `` We suffer a great deal , and get thin and weak and miserable . I 've sometimes thought that 's the reason we are blue . '' `` Perhaps , as you have no teeth , you do n't chew your food enough , and so have dyspepsia , like an old gentleman I know , '' said Freddy . `` That 's not the reason ; my cousins , the Sperms , have teeth , and dyspepsia also . '' `` Are they blue ? '' `` No , black and white . But I was going to tell you my troubles . My father was harpooned when I was very young , and I remember how bravely he died . The Rights usually run away when they see a whaler coming ; not from cowardice , -- oh , dear , no ! -- but discretion . The Sperms stay and fight , and are killed off very fast ; for they are a very headstrong family . We fight when we ca n't help it ; and my father died like a hero . They chased him five hours before they stuck him ; he tried to get away , and dragged three or four boats and sixteen hundred fathoms of line from eight in the morning till four at night . Then they got out another line , and he towed the ship itself for more than an hour . There were fifteen harpoons in him : he chewed up a boat , pitched several men overboard , and damaged the vessel , before they killed him . Ah ! he was a father to be proud of . '' Freddy sat respectfully silent for a few minutes , as the old bone seemed to feel a great deal on the subject .
Presently he went on again : `` The XXXXX live in herds ; but the Rights go in pairs , and are very fond of one another .
Freddy Sperms disease dyspepsia harpoons hour hours minutes night whale