ating on the surface. The
boatswain steered towards it, intending, as he said, to get some
blubber, which would help out their beef. But perceiving a fire on its
back as he got nearer, he at once declared his conviction that the
captain and his boat's crew, and perhaps those of the other boats, must
be there; so he vowed that nothing should induce him to place himself in
his power, telling his own people that if the captain were to take the
command of the raft, he would stop their grog, and eat up the remainder
of the provisions. He called on them, therefore, to stand by him while
he kept the raft on a course which would carry her some distance from
the whale. The Frenchmen, in the meantime, seeing the flag on the
whale, and the fire burning, and believing that boats must be alongside,
frantically stretched out their hands, and shouted at the top of their
voices, not recollecting that they were too far off to be heard. They
shrieked and shouted, and danced about, every now and then turning with
violent gestures towards the boatswain, telling him to steer for the
whale. He, however, took no heed of their entreaties, but, feeling
dependence on the men about him, continued his course till the raft had
got considerably to leeward of the whale, when it was impossible to get
up to it--all the oars which had been on board, with the exception of
the one by which he steered, having been lost during the frequent
struggles which had taken place. The Frenchmen, finding their shouts
disregarded, then returned to their seats, talking together, and casting
threatening looks at the whaler's crew. The boatswain and his
companions laughed at their threats.

Hunger and thirst were by this time assailing them, when one of the men
proposed to broach the remaining cask of spirits. In vain the doctor
endeavoured to dissuade them from touching it; the boatswain offered but
a slight resistance. They dragged it from the spot in the after part of
the raft, where it had been stowed, and were soon engaged in drinking
its contents.

"A short life and a merry one," cried the party, as they passed the cup
rapidly round. The liquor soon began to take effect on their already
exhausted frames. They shouted and sang songs, but their voices sounded
hollow and cracked; and several rolled over, laughing idiotically at
their own condition. The Frenchmen, who had been watching these
proceedings, and waiting their opportunity, now rushed aft, and