294 WHALING AND FISHING. 



In addition to this, the decks of the little craft 

 were holy-stoned every morning for at least an 

 hour : until we one night emptied the sand neces 

 ftary to this labor, over board. After that the 

 paint work received a double share of attention, 

 and even the masts were scrubbed ; while any 

 spare time in the morning watch was devoted to 

 brightening up the brass-work, of which this 

 daintily fitted little vessel had as much as many a 

 frigate. All this kind of labor is irritating to sea- 

 men. They call it humbuggery. To work hard 

 from daylight till dark, at the vessel's rigging or 

 sails, where perhaps every bit of sea lore they 

 may be possessed of is brought into service, would 

 not be thought disagreeable. But to set a parcel 

 of old tars at scrubbing paint- work, brightening 

 brass rigging caps and capstan heads, and knock- 

 ing rust-scales from the iron work, will produce 

 mutinous thoughts sooner than any other course 

 of treatment. 



So it came about, that ere we were a week out, 

 as I came forward from the wheel one day at noon, 

 a plan was being discussed, by which we, the crew, 

 were to take possession of the vessel, getting rid 

 of the officers as best we might. The reckless fel- 

 lows laughed heartily at my serious face when 

 the project was bluntly laid before me. 



" As for Jimmy'' the mate "I can easily put 

 iiim over the taffrail any night when I am at the 

 wheel, for the booby regularly goes to sleep -when 



