108 A "MolHe." 



halt, so the ship was made fast at about 1 p.m. 

 with a couple of ice anchors to a large floe ; the 

 " Erik" following our example and bringing up 

 about two cables' x length from us. At about 6 p.m. 

 our little squadron was augmented by the arrival 

 of the " Victor/' which made fast to the eastward 

 of us. 



In the evening we received a visit from her 

 captain, and I got some little insight into the 

 mysteries of a " mollie," though on a small scale. 



In whaling parlance, a " mollie " means having 

 a night of it ; that is, a number of captains congre- 

 gate together on board one ship, and then an 

 animated discussion ensues regarding the success 

 attending each and every individual engaged in 

 the fishery ; as talking is naturally a thirsty occupa- 

 tion, copious libations of spirits and beer are dis- 

 cussed, forming very important items in these 

 orgies, which on several occasions have terminated 

 in anything but a friendly manner. 



During the fall fishing, that is towards the close 

 of the year, I have been informed that a " mollie " 

 will last many days ! It derives its name from the 

 fulmar, a species of petrel, that, as I have already 

 stated, assembles in great quantities during the 

 operation of flinching a whale, when they are 

 continually fighting, squabbling, and gorging to 



1 The length of a cable is equivalent to 200 yards. 



