36 



THAT GREAT LEVIATHAN. 



rules of the ship laid down to them. At seven 

 that evening, the watch is set, the second officer 

 always taking the first night watch from the home 

 port, and those not on duty go below and sleep — 

 if they can. Next morning all hands are called 

 aft again, this time for choosing boat's crews. 

 The first officer takes precedence by selecting 

 one man, followed in turn by the second, third, 

 and fourth mates, each choosing one, until every 

 boat has a crew standing by her side. Then 

 follows, usually, the emphatic caution, "Now 

 remember to which you belong, and bear a hand 

 when she's called away ! " 



And what of the voyage ? Southward ? Yes, 

 in the main ; crossing the Gulf Stream ; battling, 

 stripped for the fight, with many a heavy gale ; 

 passing, with men all the while at our mast-heads, 

 through the " horse latitudes ; " lowering our 

 boats, now and then, to give our whalemen 

 practice in rowing ; and taking advantage, now, 

 of every slant of wind to press on our way toward 

 the stormy Horn. 



Days and long weeks go by, nor are we alone 

 in the tedious struggle. Several sails are in sight, 

 all striving to get south. 



And so, with bracing round, or squaring the 

 yards, making and shortening sail, and backing 



