absence the ship-keepers had been busy rigging one of the cutting
falls, an immense fourfold tackle from the main lowermast-head,
of four-inch rope through great double blocks, large as those
used at dockyards for lifting ships' masts and boilers. Chain-
slings were passed around the carcases, which gripped the animal
at the "small," being prevented from slipping off by the broad
spread of the tail. The end of the "fall," or tackle-rope, was
then taken to the windlass, and we hove away cheerily, lifting
the monsters right on deck. A mountainous pile they made. A
short spell was allowed, when the whole eight were on board, for
dinner; then all hands turned to again to "flench" the blubber,
and prepare for trying-out. This was a heavy job, keeping all
hands busy until it was quite dark, the latter part of the work
being carried on by the light of a "cresset," the flames of which
were fed with "scrap," which blazed brilliantly, throwing a big
glare over all the ship. The last of the carcases was launched
overboard by about eight o'clock that evening, but not before
some vast junks of beef had been cut off and hung up in the
rigging for our food supply.

The try-works were started again, "trying-out" going on busily
all night, watch and watch taking their turn at keeping the pots
supplied with minced blubber. The work was heavy, while the
energetic way in which it was carried on made us all glad to take
what rest was allowed us, which was scanty enough, as usual.

By nightfall the next day the ship had resumed her normal
appearance, and we were a tun and a quarter of oil to the good.
Black Fish oil is of medium quality, but I learned that,
according to the rule of "roguery in all trades," it was the