it had done its utmost to insure success. Never had ship or crew shown more patience or determination, the non-success could not be laid to their charge. Nothing now remained but to return home.
A representation to this effect was addressed to the Commodore. He was firm. The sailors did not conceal their disappointment, and the service was suffering accordingly. I do not mean to insinuate that there was a mutiny, but after a reasonable period, Farragut, like another Columbus, demanded three days more. If during that time the monster did not appear, the helmsman should have orders to put the ship about for American waters.
This promise was made upon the 2nd November. The result was to re-animate the failing courage of the crew. The ocean was scanned with fresh zeal. Everyone wished to give a last look in which memory might be summed up. Telescopes were used with a feverish activity. This was the last defiance hurled at the giant narwhal, and he could not in reason decline to reply to the challenge to appear.
Two days had passed. The Abraham Lincoln cruised about at half-speed. They employed a thousand means to awake the attention or to stimulate the apathy of the animal, in the hope that he was in the neighbourhood. Enormous quantities of lard were thrown over the stern, to the great satisfaction of the sharks, I may add. The boats pulled in all directions round the frigate, while she was hove-to, and did not leave any part unexplored. But the evening of the 4th of November arrived and nothing had been heard of the submarine mystery. On the following day, at noon, the three days’ grace would
