80 THE WHALEMAN J OR, 



entrance of the tent. In the estimation of the 

 crew, he was indeed one of the " learned hogs." 



When the question came up, what should be 

 done with " Jack," many at once resolved they 

 would never eat him, because he knew so much ; 

 and being so strongly attached to him, he really 

 seemed like one of our number : " Old Jacky 

 must not be eaten." 



A different counsel finally prevailed. If we 

 should leave him behind, he would soon be de- 

 stroyed by wild beasts, and especially bears, that 

 swarm the region ; or he would perish with hun- 

 ger. In view of these considerations, it was de- 

 cided to kill the favorite hog, more from neces- 

 sity than choice. He was accordingly killed and 

 roasted, and a division made of him, each man 

 taking his proportionate share. A cheese was 

 also divided into as many parts as there were 

 men, and distributed to each. Each man car- 

 ried a sack containing thirty biscuits, in addi- 

 tion to other articles of provision just men- 

 tioned. 



We were particular also before leaving, though 

 it was quite uncertain whether we should ever 

 see the spot again, to save from the wreck and 

 stow away in the tent whatever we thought 

 might be necessary for future use. This was a 

 judicious precaution. As a last resort, if all 



