130 
A VOYAGE TO SPITZBERGEN . 
very warmest air of the Tropics, to judge by his blue 
eyes and light hair, his skin ought to have been fair. 
He had a crew of fifty-five men, who were paid on 
the “ share in the profits ” principle; and as they had 
been away from home since early in April, without 
capturing a seal or whale, the poor fellows had but a 
poor prospect for the coming winter at home. The 
Norwegian was as hospitable as his race is known to be, 
and did the honours of his cabin with true courtesy. 
As we entered this curiously quaint room, we noticed 
that his table presented the appearance as if some 
scientific game was being played by the skipper to 
while away his solitary hours when his presence was 
not required on deck for the sailing of his ship. An 
infinity of little holes dotted the surface of the board, 
and a few pegs stood out here and there, with some¬ 
thing like order in their arrangement. We apologised 
forthwith for our intrusion, and the consequent inter¬ 
ruption in a game we were unacquainted with. Judge 
then of our surprise when we learned that the pegs 
and holes were the ordinary means by which the crews 
on board such ships keep their plates and glasses during 
dinner in their places when the weather is at all rough. 
He was glad to pick up the threads of European 
political affairs since he left home, and the “ Alabama 
Question ” particularly interested him. He was very 
