i6o FROM EDINBURGH TO THE ANTARCTIC 
you, or the women, or your faulty molecular construction 
are to blame I would not venture to affirm. But here 
comes Mr. Adams down the hatch, through the half dark 
focsle to break up our congress, which I dare say he 
would as soon join, but that discipline must be maintained 
even on a whaler. ' Wha 's the best man here afore I cam 
doon ? ' he shouts in a whisper. * What ! half the watch 
below here ! What, ch ! call yourselves sailors, div you, 
crooning roond the fire like a wheen bletherin' auld wives 
— gie's a licht, ma pipe's oot. When I served my time,' 
he continues, and a grin goes round the company, for this 
remark generally prefaces some hair-curling yarn. The 
old men smile, because when our first mate served 
his time was such a short while ago. But, though they 
smile, men and boys would walk overboard for him. He 
is young, but he is also the biggest man on board, and the 
best all-round seaman, and they serve him with absolute 
obedience, not from fear, but from love and respect. So 
the skulkers bundle up on deck, just for appearance sake, 
for we have about twenty hands on each of the two 
watches, whereas an ordinary merchantman of our size 
would have but six or seven. It is considered no great 
matter if some of the watch go below for a pull at their 
pipes when the night is fine. 
This is becoming a long day's reckoning. I must wind 
it up, for my candle burns low, and it's time for a last pipe. 
Now the stillness of the night is broken — the mate has 
just shouted, * Lay aft here and lower the mizzentop stay- 
sail/ From below I hear the clanging of the fireman's 
shovel, as he swings the furnace door open and shovels on 
