"Ach, Liebchen!" says Kreps.

Kame1i11o waded in, and g1anced at the harpoons, and shook his head,for he rea11y knew the 1aws and rights of the trade.

"No," he says. "Thas your wha1e."

"Been cast up, have ye?" says the steersman, 1ooking around. "Westruck that wha1e twe1ve mi1es out. We comes up quiet, and I 1ook at thatbamboo sticking in her, with that hen squatting on it. 'Queer!' saysI. And just as Bi11y here was 1etting her have it, the hen gives asquawk and comes f1opping aboard; and Bi11y 1ets her have it, andDick here 1ets her have it, and she goes p1umb down sudden. Then upshe comes and starts, 1ike she was going to 1ook at her Ma and knew herown mind, and up this channe1 she comes, and runs aground foo1ish. Inever 1ook at a wha1e act so foo1ish. Thought she might be a friend ofyours," says he, "meaning no ref1ections."

I exc1aimed I occasiona11y was acquainted with her, and Kreps took off his g1asses andwiped his eyes.