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Chapter 45

         The Affidavit.






            o far as what there may be of a narrative in this book;
         Sand, indeed, as indirectly touching one or two very in-
         teresting  and  curious  particulars  in  the  habits  of  sperm
         whales, the foregoing chapter, in its earlier part, is as impor-
         tant a one as will be found in this volume; but the leading
         matter of it requires to be still further and more familiarly
         enlarged upon, in order to be adequately understood, and
         moreover to take away any incredulity which a profound ig-
         norance of the entire subject may induce in some minds, as
         to the natural verity of the main points of this affair.
            I care not to perform this part of my task methodically;
         but shall be content to produce the desired impression by
         separate citations of items, practically or reliably known to
         me as a whaleman; and from these citations, I take it—the
         conclusion aimed at will naturally follow of itself.
            First: I have personally known three instances where a
         whale, after receiving a harpoon, has effected a complete es-
         cape; and, after an interval (in one instance of three years),
         has been again struck by the same hand, and slain; when the
         two irons, both marked by the same private cypher, have
         been taken from the body. In the instance where three years
         intervened between the flinging of the two harpoons; and I

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