256 , Voyage of the Novara. 



the southern seas during five years, without any adequate 

 return for her perseverant exertions. Her entire take was as 

 yet only four barrels of train oil ! ! She was now making for 

 the Sandwich Islands, and thence home to Boston. Latterly, 

 the North American whalers have formed themselves into 

 partnership, so as to divide profit and loss. If his com- 

 panions had encountered no better fortune than Captain 

 Chase, they might safely aver they had worked five years for 

 nothing. The crew of the Eniihj Morgan^ who were as usual 

 almost entirely dependent for their remuneration on their tenth 

 share of the oil, had begun to desj^air, and six of their number 

 deserted from the ship, to stay behind at Tahiti. Throughout 

 the voyage, Captain Chase had had his wife with him, a 

 spirited energetic American woman, who on occasions could 

 take her trick at the helm, or even direct the ship's ma- 

 noeuvres. So completely had she fallen into the ways on 

 board ship, that even in ordinary conversation she frequently 

 let slip a few sea-phrases, and recounted, with much pride, 

 how. when the boats had been away in pursuit, she had kept 

 her watch like a regular officer. 



On 8th March, Shrove Tuesday was celebrated on board. 

 Several sailors had disguised themselves as Invalids, as Tahi- 

 tians, as Nicobarians, &c., and played off all manner of 

 pranks. Dolce, our cook, the merry-andrew of the vessel, 

 figured as a troubadour, in which capacity he sang several 

 heart-thrilling melodies. In the afternoon the band j^layed 



