SOUNDING
The instant command was “Stern all!!”—and the boat was backed out of range of the great flaying tail.
Many things might happen in the next few moments.
The whale might “run”—he might turn and attack the boat with open jaws, or “sound.”
The boatsteerer and the officer exchanged places.
The line ran out at such speed that water had to be thrown into the tub to prevent the line setting fire to the loggerhead.
Sounding