THE AMERICAN WHALEMAJST. 



49 



shank of the harpoon, 

 which he knew, perhaps from actual 

 experience, would be put to the se- 

 verest test in wrenching and twist- 

 ing, asTlie whale, in which he had a 

 one-hundredth interest, was secured ; 



the rope-maker faithfully tested each j'arn of the tow-line, 

 to make certain that it would carry two hundred pounds' 

 strain, for he knew that one weak inch in his work.might 

 lose to him his share in a fighting monster ; the very women 

 and girls who made the clothing remembered in their toil 

 that father, brother, or one yet dearer to them, might wear 

 the garment, and extra stitches were lovingly thrown in to 

 save the loss of button and prevent the ripping of a seam. 

 Thus the profits of the labor were enjoyed by those inter- 

 ested in the fishery, and voyages were advantageous even 

 when the price of oil was barely sufficient to pay the out- 

 fir, estimating the labor as part of it. 



3 



