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 Sperms live in herds ; but the Rights go in pairs , and are very fond of one another . My wife was a charming creature , and we were very happy , till one sad day , when she was playing with our child , -- a sweet little whaleling only twelve feet long , and weighing but a ton , -- my son was harpooned . His mamma , instead of flying , wrapped her fins round him , and dived as far as the line allowed . Then she came up , and dashed at the boats in great rage and anguish , entirely regardless of the danger she was in . The men struck my son , in order to get her , and they soon succeeded ; but even then , in spite of her suffering , she did not try to escape , but clung to little Spouter till both were killed . Alas ! alas ! '' Here the poor bone creaked so dismally , Freddy feared it would tumble to pieces , and bring the story to an end too soon . `` Do n't think of those sorrowful things , '' he said ; `` tell me how you came to be here . Were you harpooned ? '' `` Not I ; for I 've been very careful all my life to keep out of the way of danger : I 'm not like one of my relations , who attacked a ship , gave it such a dreadful blow that he made a great hole , the water rushed in , and the vessel was wrecked . But he paid dearly for that prank ; for a few months afterward another ship harpooned him very easily , finding two spears still in him , and a wound in his head . I forgot to mention , that the Sperms have fine ivory teeth , and make ambergris , -- a sort of stuff that smells very nice , and costs a great deal . I give you these little facts about my family , as you seem interested , and it 's always well to improve the minds of young people . '' `` You are very kind ; but will you be good enough to tell about yourself ? ''
said XXXXX again ; for the bone seemed to avoid that part of the story , as if he did n't want to tell it .
Freddy Sperms Spouter escape harpoons hour minutes months spears whaleling