FISHING BEGINS. 23 



bodies. During our absence the ship-keepers had been 

 busy rigging one of the cutting falls, an immense four- 

 fold tackle from the main lowermast-head, of four-inch 

 rope through great double blocks, large as those used at 

 dockyards for lifting ships' masts and boilers. Chain- 

 slings were passed around the carcases, which gripped 

 the animal at the " small," being prevented from slip- 

 ping off by the broad spread of the tail. The end of 

 the " fall," or tackle-rope, was then taken to the wind- 

 lass, and we hove away cheerily, lifting the monsters 

 right on deck. A mountainous pile they made. A 

 short spell was allowed, when the whole eight were on 

 board, for dinner; then all hands turned to again to 

 " flench " the blubber, and prepare for trying-out. This 

 was a heavy job, keeping all hands busy until it was 

 quite dark, the latter part of the work being carried on 

 by the light of a " cresset," the flames of which were 

 fed with "scrap," which blazed brilliantly, throwing a 

 big glare over all the ship. The last of the carcases 

 was launched overboard by about eight o'clock that 

 evening, but not before some vast junks of beef had 

 been cut off and hung up in the rigging for our food 

 supply. 



The try-works were started again, " trying-out " 

 going on busily all night, watch and watch taking their 

 turn at keeping the pots supplied with minced blubber. 

 The work was heavy, while the energetic way in which 

 it was carried on made us all glad to take what rest was 

 allowed us, which was scanty enough, as usual. 



By nightfall the next day the ship had resumed her 

 normal appearance, and we were a tun and a quarter 

 of oil to the good. Black Fish oil is of medium quality, 

 but I learned that, according to the rule of "roguery in 



