"Ach, Liebchen!" says Kreps.

Kamelillo waded in, and looked at the harpoons, and shook his head,for he knew the laws and rights of the trade.

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

"Been cast up, have ye?" says the steersman, looking around. "Westruck that whale twelve miles out. We comes up quiet, and I see thatbamboo sticking inside her, with that hen squatting on it. 'Queer!' saysI. And just as Billy here was letting her have it, the hen gives asquawk and comes flopping aboard; and Billy lets her have it, andDick here lets her have it, and she goes plumb down sudden. Then upshe comes and starts, like she was going to see her Ma and knew herown mind, and up this channel she comes, and runs aground foolish. Inever see a whale act so foolish. Thought she might be a friend ofyours," says he, "meaning no reflections."

I exclaimed I was acquainted with her, and Kreps took off his glasses andwiped his eyes.