276 HISTORY AND DETAILS OF WHALING. 



into small pieces by the "mincing knife," and exposed to the 

 action of fire in large pots, the skinny portions which re- 

 main serving for fuel. It should be observed that it is usual 

 to secure the "junk" before dipping the oil from the " case." 

 The "junk," which is the forward part of the head, contains 

 the purest spermaceti, and therefore more valuable on that ac- 

 count. It is deposited in the front part of the head in a solid 

 mass, about the consistence of lard, and divided occasionally 

 by a narrow layer of "white horse," a substance resembling 

 the cords of animals, only harder. After passing through a 

 " cooler," the oil is conveyed through leathern hose to large 

 stationary casks which constitute the bottom tier in the hold 

 of the ship. "When whales are plenty, which is the harvest 

 time with whalemen, they usually stow away one hundred 

 barrels of oil in twenty-four hours. At such times as these, 

 the fires in the "try works" never go out. If whales were 

 abundant, whalemen would fill a ship carrying three thousand 

 barrels in less than two months. 



CHAPTER VI. 



Outfitting and Infitting. — " Runners." — Remedy. — Articles of Clothing. — 

 Whaling Business. — Promotion. — Whale Killing. — Dangers. — General 

 Success of the Enterprise. 



In connection with the enterprise of whaling, a system of 

 outfitting and infitting, as they are termed in common parlance, 

 has sprung up, become established, and which is now closely 

 identified and associated with it. This system, from its novel 

 and somewhat singular operation, is like the vine, which en- 

 twines itself around the huge and gigantic oak, and thus it 

 grows and expands according to the height and dimensions of 



