WHAT WHALEMEN EAT. 69 



eager to be first at the scene of operations, but all 

 too late, for after sticking their ugly heads out of 

 the water for some time, as though too lazy to 

 float in the usual horizontal position, they are off 

 again. 



Four hours of such sport prepared us -to enjoy a 

 much more substantial and elegantly prepared 

 repast than awaited us when wearied and disap- 

 pointed, we returned on board. 



And this brings me to the consideration of that 

 portion of life, which I have noticed seems on 

 ship-board to be considered the main and most 

 important part of existence, namely, eating. What 

 to eat, must be a matter of much thought with 

 men who have nothing but the regularly recurr- 

 ing meal times to break the dreary monotony of 

 every day life. 



Men long for excitement ; and as idlers on shore 

 discuss the news of the day, and settle the des- 

 tinies of nations after their own ideas of justice 

 and policy so do ship captains and mates take 

 into serious consideration the fate of certain 

 chickens, ducks, and pigs, and enter into long- 

 winded discussions as to the proper time and best 

 method of preparing these animals for the table, 

 while forecastle Jack growls at the cook about the 

 ill-prepared bean soup and the raw duff, Uie moldy 

 rice, or half-cooked beef which is set before him. 



The provisions for the forecastle in a whaleship, 

 differ but very little in kind from those of a man- 

 of-war, yet there is no regular allowance, a suf 



