The Crow's Nest. 33 



obtained fourteen seals. After the skins are taken 

 on board, the next operation performed on them is 

 that of " krenging," l which is stripping or cutting 

 off any small portions of flesh that may be adhering 

 to the blubber, which latter is then cut off from the 

 skin, and this last process is called " making off." -i 

 The blubber is put into barrels or tanks between 

 decks, and the skins are salted and stowed in a 

 cask with brine. 



In the afternoon the crow's nest was got up, and 

 the remaining two boats hoisted out and equipped. 



We are now fully prepared and anxious to wage 

 war with the huge monsters of the deep. 



The crow's nest is simply a large cask or barrel, 

 which is triced up to the main-royal masthead. 

 The lower end rests on an iron jack above the eyes 

 of the top-gallant rigging, secured to the mast with 

 an iron band, and the upper part has an iron strap 

 which goes round the royal pole. On the top is an 

 iron framework for resting a telescope. It is alto- 

 gether a very ingenious contrivance. There is a 

 small trap-hatch in the bottom, sufficiently large to 

 admit a man, which can be shut down, and serves 

 for the inmate to stand upon. When on the fishing 

 ground the crow's nest is always occupied. 



1 From the Dutch kreng, meaning carrion. 



2 " Making off," according to Scoresby, is derived from th« 

 Dutch word afmaaken, signifying to finish or complete ; pro- 

 bably in consequence of its being the concluding operation. 



D 



