114 WHALING AND FISHING. 



ludicrous figures we presented, clinging Like hull 

 drowned rats to the wreck. This was exempli 

 fied by a half laugh which followed the captain's 

 words to us, " Well, you may stay theie a hit I* 

 while." 



On our return on board, we were unmercifully 

 quizzed, and any lurking desire to have ourselves 

 considered the heroes of the day, was nipped in 

 the bud by numerous inquiries as to whether salt 

 water bathing was likely to restore us to health 

 and vigor ; whether any one had ventured to ride 

 on whale-back ; whether any one had thought of 

 making a propitiatory offering to the whales ; or 

 whether we had not wished ourselves safe at home, 

 "tied to mamma's apron-strings." 



" Never mind, boys," said Barnard, the boat- 

 steerer, to us, " we'll show them how to kill the 

 next whale, and give them a chance to laugh 

 another way." 



And we were fully determined to do so. 



It was not many days before we had an oppor- 

 tunity to put in practice our determination. The 

 officers were very anxious to take at least one 

 whale before we should fall in with any of the 

 vessels then known to be cruising in the Mozam- 

 bique Channel, in order to retrieve by that the 

 late mishap, as well as to have it to say that we 

 had made a fair beginning. Every day, there- 

 fore, the mastheads and upper yards were crowded 

 with eager lookers out, determined to let no spout 

 or blackskin escape their keen gazt 



