ark. Such days would be delightful for farmers in this
part of the world. Soon after the storm we got fair winds, and were on
our cruising grounds off the southern coast of Chile and northern part
of Patagonia (the new boundary gives the whole coast to Chile now).

The ship's crew was then divided into four watches, with a boat-steerer
in charge and only one watch on duty at a time, so we had plenty of
leisure. Every night, all sail but two would be close reefed, top-sails
would be furled, then the ship would be headed offshore until midnight,
and would then go about and stand inshore until daylight, when all sail
would be set again. At certain seasons whales come down the coast going
south, and we were keeping a bright lookout for them.

Each whaleboat's outfit consists of three harpoons, two lances, one
cutting-in spade, one tub with three hundred fathoms of
five-eighths'-inch whale-line, one extra tub with one hundred fathoms,
one tight keg containing boat compass, lantern, steel and flint, and
some sea biscuit. The latter articles are used only in case the boat is
lost from the ship, which frequently happens.

There is a number of different species among the whales. They are all
mammals, bringing forth and suckling their calves. On attacking a cow
and calf together, it is the custom to kill the latter first, as the cow
will never desert her calf. The sulphur-bottom whale is the largest, but
it is never harpooned, as it is too dangerous, and will always run all
the line out of the tubs before it stops sounding. The sperm whale
furnishes the most valuable oil. The sperm whale throws its flukes, or
tail, up and down when attacked, so it is possible for a boat to
approach one head, or fluke, on. The right whale furnishes the common
oil, and in larger quantities; sometimes one fish will yield two hundred
and fifty barrels of oil, as well as many pounds of whalebone, now very
scarce and valuable. It hangs in large thin sheets from the jaws, wide
at the top, and tapering to a narrow point with hair-like fringe on the
edges. The right whale can be attacked only "head on," as they throw
their flukes from side to side. They are captured in the cold northern
seas, the sperm in southern waters. One hundred barrels is a large yield
from one fish of the latter species.

We saw several whales, but could not get near them. Finally, one big
fellow was sighted, and all boats were lowered, the first mate's being
in the water first.