SECURING THE PRIZE. 395 



But let us suppose that no such accidents occur, and 

 that the whaler's crew have caught their first great " fish." 

 The question naturally arises, What will they do with it 1 



The first thing is to cut a hole through each fin, and 

 fasten on a rope ; and the tail being caught up to the 

 bows of the boat, the whale is brought to the port-side of 

 the whaling-vessel, and there secured. This is done as 

 follows : 



The fish is always brought alongside with the tail for- 

 ward abreast of the fore-chains ; it is then secured by 

 means of a tackle from the fore-rigging, which is hooked 

 to a strap round the small end of the tail (where it is 

 united to the back of the fish), and by a stout rope, 

 which is called the " rump rope." A similar purchase is 

 hooked from the main-rigging to a strap rove through a 

 hole cut in the extremity of the under jaw; and this is 

 called the " nose tackle." Let it be understood, however, 

 that the whale is on its back. Its right fin is now 

 secured by a chain or rope to the upper deck ; and, next, 

 between the fore and main masts is fixed a stout wire 

 rope, called the " blubber guy," with four large single 

 blocks strapped on to it, to carry the tackles used in 

 hoisting on board the large layers of blubber, some be- 

 tween one and two tons in weight, as they are cut off. 

 An apparatus at the mainmast-head turns the fish over 

 as it is being " flinched." 



These preparations completed, the crew are " turned 

 up," and each man receives a glass of grog before setting 

 to work. Two " mollie boats," as they are called, attend 

 upon those engaged in cutting up, and are manned by 

 a couple of hands, euphoniously termed " mollie boys." 

 The captain superintends the whole course of operations, 



