, when the white fowl flew
to join the wing-folding, the invoking, and adoring cherubim!
 
6 Since the above was written, the statement is happily borne out by an official
circular, issued by Lieutenant Maury, of the National Observatory, Washington,
April 16th, 1851. By that circular, it appears that precisely such a chart is in
course of completion; and portions of it are presented in the circular. »This
chart divides the ocean into districts of five degrees of latitude by five
degrees of longitude; perpendicularly through each of which districts are twelve
columns for the twelve months; and horizontally through each of which districts
are three lines; one to show the number of days that have been spent in each
month in every district, and the two others to show the number of days in which
whales, sperm or right, have been seen.«
7 The following are extracts from Chace's narrative: »Every fact seemed to
warrant me in concluding that it was anything but chance which directed his
operations; he made two several attacks upon the ship, at a short interval
between them, both of which, according to their direction, were calculated to do
us the most injury, by being made ahead, and thereby combining the speed of the
two objects for the shock; to effect which, the exact manoeuvres which he made
were necessary. His aspect was most horrible, and such as indicated resentment
and fury. He came directly from the shoal which we had just before entered, and
in which we had struck three of his companions, as if fired with revenge for
their sufferings.« Again: »At all events, the whole circumstances taken
together, all happening before my own eyes, and producing, at the time,
impressions in my mind of decided, calculating mischief, on the part of the
whale (many of which impressions I cannot now recall), induce me to be satisfied
that I am correct in my opinion.«
Here are his reflections some time after quitting the ship, during a black night
in an open boat, when almost despairing of reaching any hospitable shore. »The
dark ocean and swelling waters were nothing; the fears of being swallowed up by
some dreadful tempest, or dashed upon hidden rocks, with all the other ordinary
subjects of fearful contemplation, seemed scarcely entitled to a moment's
thought; the dismal-looking wreck, and the horrid aspect and revenge of the
whale, wholly engrossed my reflections until day again made its appearance.«
In another place - p. 45, - he speaks of the mysterious and mortal attack