" Making- of the Blubber. 131 



A slight commotion was caused towards the 

 evening by observing the boats of one of the 

 whalers fast to a fish. Instantly smoke was seen 

 in all directions, and like a flock of harpies, the 

 whole of the whaling fleet, ourselves included, were 

 steaming towards the lucky ship, determined either 

 to share in her good fortune — supposing that she 

 was in the midst of fish — or to scare them all away. 

 Nothing, however, resulted from our efforts. 



Tuesday, June 17th. — This whaling is a very 

 selfish trade ; if one ship is unsuccessful, nothing 

 delights her master and crew more than to observe 

 others equally unfortunate. This has not been one 

 of our lucky days; and although we have seen several 

 fish, and had our boats away in pursuit, we have not 

 been able to record a single u fall," whilst the other 

 ships appear to have been as prosperous as we have 

 been the reverse. 



It is a lovely day, and the land stretching away 

 from Cape Bathurst to Cape Liverpool is plainly 

 visible about ten miles off, still retaining its thick 

 winter coating of snow. 



Taking advantage of the fine weather, the crew 

 have been employed "making- off" the blubber 

 from the fish captured on Sunday ; and grease — 

 good thick substantial grease — reigns supreme. 

 The deck is as slippery as ice, and the unctuous 

 substance pervades the whole ship ; so much so, 

 that great caution is necessary in walking along 



