What would be the first degree rule you'll make as a president of the country. Why

Can someone answer my question

ZACHARY: Elias! We took the whale! She was a beauty—I never seen anything like her! She come right up close to the side of the boat, ‘Lias; there wasn’t any time even to think. I never saw anything like the way she came right up out of the water and dived again. I thought sure she was going to smash the boat in half, the way she was a-thrashin’ her tail and stirring up the water. (Looks admiringly at Manuel, who is slicing a couple of apples) Manuel here was the big hero. He keeps his head, Manuel does. He was on his feet, balancing on the gunwale, never mind the boat pitching and tossing. The harpoon was poised to strike and he knew just the right moment!

Which two words from the text best show that Manuel is a skilled and experienced harpooner?
Answer choices for the above question

smash

balancing

gunwale

pitching

tossing

poised