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Onr morning when I turned out to breakfast I found the mess cabin table covered with ungs rifles &c which some of the sporting people were preparing to have a shot at the whales, which were surrounding the ship. words the reputation of being a bit of a rifle shot — a double. barrel W[estley]]. Richards was put into my hand with which I blazed away for some time at long distances. As I sat on the taffrail with the rifle in my hand I saw the water about 20 yds word astern appear suddenly of a dull yellow colour in a space of about ten feet square — guessing that a whale was about to make its appearance I cocked both barrels, nor was I decieved for slowly and by degrees up he came to the surface, first shewing his head into which an ounce ball from my rifle whisked instanter and as soon as the shoulder was exposed — bang went the other with a sounding thud as it told and which was plainly heard. words