THE GIANTS OF LABRADOR. 147 



never break, and a few blows of a hammer should 

 suffice to straighten it, even when twisted up like a 

 corkscrew. 



When I had seen and examined everything fully, 

 I slipped half a dollar into the hand of my guide, 

 and regained the deck. Here I found the ''two 

 good twins " seated before a well-stocked table, and 

 making a hearty breakfast on the poop. 



" Well, sir, do you think you know what a whale- 

 ship is now ? " asked the captain, when I had first 

 of all advanced. 



" I think so," I rephed. " As a journalist and a 

 foreigner, I pick up all the information I can, and 

 now, with the exception of actually seeing a whale 

 caught (which I have never had the good luck to 

 do), I think I know all about it." 



" Ah ! then you^re a journalist, sir ? " asked the 

 other captain. 



" Yes, sir. I belong to the Neiv York Herald." 



^' Ho ! ho ! Pray be seated, sir." 



I have already made mention of the deference 

 and respect which is manifested towards the Press 

 in America. The " twins " of the Jackson (that 

 v.as the name of the whaler) soon made me wel- 

 come. I breakfasted with my new friends, and left 

 them with a promise to pay them another visit on 

 board whenever I pleased. The fact was, these cap- 

 tains were very good fellows, and I soon found 

 myself quite at home in their company. 



L 2 



