THE AMERICAN WHALEMAN. 205 



da. This formation rises to a considerable height, almost 

 perpendicularly, from the water's edge. Blue water beats 

 against it. At a distance it resembles a huge tower, iso- 

 lated by many miles from other islands. Tradition hath it 

 that it is sometimes mistaken for a ship, and that a tipsy 

 skipper once ran under its stern, and hailed : " Whence, and 

 whither bound ?" and the rock-bound coast echoed, " whith- 

 er bound?" Now we squared away for Cocos Island, to 

 take in water. 



The following morning we ran close under Abington Isl- 

 and, and sent in two boats to obtain a mess of fish. An- 

 choring in five fathoms' water, we found an abundance of a 

 fish called the grouper, some of which might weigh thirty 

 pounds. A number of the curious and unsuspecting rela- 

 tives would often follow a captured fish to the surface, and 

 were killed with a sharpened waif-pole. We took nearly a 

 ton weight of this fine fish. The sport was much enjoyed 

 by all, as was the cookery of the " Doctor " when we return- 

 ed on board. We now are on our course for Cocos Island. 



Nov. 6. Twelve months from New London ! We have 

 six hundred and fifty barrels of oil, and ought not to com- 

 plain, considering our erratic course, and the work of many 

 ships we have heard from. 



JVov'9. Second year. Carne to anchor in the harbor of 

 Cocos Island, and stowed two hundred barrels of water. 

 In the afternoon the Hector ', of New Bedford, Captain Nor- 

 ton, ten months out, six hundred barrels of oil, anchored 

 beside us, also to water. 



N"ov. 11. Finished watering last night. All hands had 

 liberty on shore. A party started on a hunt for wild hogs. 

 The weather was less wet than on our previous visit. Men 

 on the beach reported a gleam of sunshine, a notable fact in 

 this pluvius spot. After a scrambling chase, a tall, bristling 

 boar was pulled down. He showed fight with his ugly 



