342 A north-wester's experience. 



their attention to the, for a few years, comparatively- 

 neglected grounds of the Indian Ocean ; but they do 

 not venture without many misgivings as to the pro- 

 bable success of their vessels. A few ships are fitted 

 out, they sail, and in the course of a few years return 

 with excellent cargoes — the whales, having enjoyed 

 somewhat of a respite, again resorted to their former 

 haunts. All is now hurry and bustle in New Bed- 

 ford and the other whaling ports. These voyages 

 act as an incentive to further operations — mechanics 

 are incited, by liberal offers, to extreme exertion ; 

 and in a short time the vessels are ready for sea. 

 The north-west whalemen have also heard of these 

 voyages ; they apply for berths, and the owner, or 

 agent, in making inquiry as to their qualifications, 

 learns that he or they got so many whales daring the 

 last voyage. In the absence of information, the 

 shipper, supposing that if the applicant can strike 

 and kill one description of whale, he will have no 

 trouble in capturing the others, engages him at a 

 good price, which he commands on the strength of 

 his reputation. The ship sails ; but when the north- 

 wester gets into the Indian Ocean, he finds many 

 ships, but few whales, and those few requiring difl[erent 

 manipalation on his part, if he wishes to capture 

 them, than those with which he is better acquainted. 

 He strives to become familiar with their habits, but, 

 unfortunately, the whales being chased daily, and 

 almost hourly, by some one or another of the various 

 vessels that occupy every nook and corner of the 

 ocean where there is any likelihood of seeing fish, 

 afford him but few opportunities of adding to his 

 stock of experience ; so that it is not until near the 



