Chapter IV. 



"FLINCHING" AND "MAKING OFF." 



T length, after several near " shaves/' 

 I am enabled to chronicle the capture 

 of a whale, and to describe the sub- 

 sequent operations connected with the 

 cutting up or " flinching" of the fish. 



At four o'clock this morning a whale was seen, 

 and a couple of boats lowered and sent in pursuit, 

 but the chase was apparently abandoned shortly 

 after five, the captain looking into my cabin, and in 

 forcible terms expressing his opinion, that notwith- 

 standing his having " turned his horse-shoe" yester- 

 day, we were goiug to have no luck this cruise. He 

 then went to bed. At half-past seven our ears 

 were assailed by that cry, which is such sweet music 

 to all on board a whaler, " A fall ! a fall ! " accom- 

 panied by the usual commotion on deck. Hurriedly 

 putting my coat on, being in the act of dressing at 

 the time, I hastened up and found that the spek- 



