considered the stem, was a strong, upright, rounded
piece of wood, called the loggerhead; at the other, or bow, a deep
groove for the purpose of allowing the harpoon-line to run through it.

The most experienced hands among the crew were busy in preparing the
boats for active work. In each boat were stowed two lines, two hundred
fathoms in length, coiled away in their respective tubs ready for use;
four harpoons, and as many lances; a keg, containing several articles,
among which were a lantern and tinder-box; three small flags,
denominated whifts, for the purpose of inserting into a dead whale, when
the boats might have to leave it in chase of others; and two cirougues--
pieces of board of a square form with a handle in the centre, so that
they could be secured to the end of the harpoon-line, to check the speed
of the whale when running or sounding. Six men formed the crew of each
boat: four for pulling, and two being officers; one called the
boat-steerer, and the other the headsman.

Hitherto not a whale had been caught; but they were in hourly
expectation of falling in with some. A sharp lookout was kept for them;
a man for the purpose being placed at each masthead, while one of the
officers took post on the fore-topgallant-yard. Day after day passed
by, and still no whales were seen, till the men began to grumble at
their ill-luck. Still they could not blame the captain, for he was
doing the utmost in his power to fall in with them. The boatswain,
however, took the opportunity of urging the rest of the crew that, since
they could not find whales, they should go in search of an enemy, and
try and pick up a prize. Tidy, as before, managed to hear what was
going forward, and informed the captain. Notwithstanding this, he kept
to his resolution to search for whales, and not to attack any of the
enemy's merchant-vessels, unless they should fall directly in his way,
or come in chase of him. He trusted to the number of true men on board,
and cared very little for the grumbling of the rest.

At length, one forenoon--the ship being only a few degrees south of the
line, off the coast of Peru, as she was standing on under easy sail, the
crew engaged in their various occupations, or moving listlessly about
the decks overcome by the heat of the sun, which was very great, some
grumbling, and nearly all out of spirits at the ill success of the
voyage--the voice of one of the lookouts was heard shouting--

"There she sp