The Crotch

           Outofthetrunk,thebranchesgrow;outofthem,thetwigs.So,inproductivesubjects,growthechapters.

           Thecrotchalludedtoonapreviouspagedeservesindependentmention.Itisanotchedstickofapeculiarform,sometwofeetinlength,whichisperpendicularlyinsertedintothestarboardgunwalenearthebow,forthepurposeoffurnishingarestforthewoodenextremityoftheharpoons,whoseothernaked,barbedendslopingprojectsfromtheprow.Therebytheweaponisinstantlyathandtoitshurler,whosnatchesitupasreadilyfromitsrestasabackwoodsmanswingshisriflefromthewall.Itiscustomarytohavetwoharpoonsreposinginthecrotch,respectivelycalledthefirstandsecondirons.

           Butthesetwoharpoons,eachbyitsowncord,arebothconnectedwiththeline;theobjectbeingthis:todartthemboth,ifpossible,oneinstantlyaftertheotherintothesamewhale;sothatif,inthecomingdrag,oneshoulddrawout,theothermaystillretainahold.Itisadoublingofthechances.Butitveryoftenhappensthatowingtotheinstantaneous,violent,convulsiverunningofthewhaleuponreceivingthefirstiron,itbecomesimpossiblefortheharpooneer,howeverlightning-likeinhismovements,topitchthesecondironintohim.Nevertheless,asthesecondironisalreadyconnectedwiththeline,andthelineisrunning,hencethatweaponmust,atallevents,beanticipatinglytossedoutoftheboat,somehowandsomewhere;elsethemostterriblejeopardywouldinvolveallhands

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