im when he
should descend. I was so eager in my frenzy to obtain him, that I felt
neither cold nor hunger; the weather during the day was now warm enough
to be pleasant, but the nights were piercing. My fat shipmate remained
in the top for three days and nights, during which period I never
removed from my post. At the close of the third day he looked over the
top brim, and implored my mercy. When he showed himself I hardly knew
him, so much had he wasted away, and it then struck me, that if he
remained aloft much longer he would have no more fat than the others,
and would not serve my purpose. I therefore pledged him my honour, that
I would not attempt his life for ten days; and as he was perishing with
the cold, he agreed to the armistice, and once more descended to the
deck. But I was saved the crime of murder, for he was so ravenous when
he came down, that he ate nearly the whole of a man's leg, and died from
repletion during the night. I cannot express to your highness the
satisfaction that I felt at finding that the carcase of the harpooner
was in my possession. I surveyed my treasure over and over again with
delight. I could now cook my French dishes. He was soon dissected, and
all his unctuous parts carefully melted down, and I found that I had a
stock which would last me as long as the bodies which I had remaining to
exercise my skill upon. The first day I succeeded admirably--I cooked
my dishes; and when they were ready I took off my night-cap and apron,
passed my fingers through my hair, and fancied myself a garcon at a
restaurateurs. I laid the cloth, put the dishes on the table, and when
it was complete, went on deck and then returned as the _bon vivant_ who
had ordered the dinner.

Never was any meal so delicious to my insane fancy. I devoured every
thing which I cooked, and drank water for champagne. I meditated upon
what I should have for dinner on the ensuing day, and then retired to my
bed. In the meantime the ice had separated, and the ship was again
afloat; but I cared not: all my ideas were concentrated in the pleasures
of the table--and the next morning I went on deck to obtain a piece of
meat, when I was astonished at a terrific growl. I turned my head and
perceived an enormous white bear, who was making sad depredations in my
larder, having nearly finished the whole body of one of my dead
shipmates. He was as large as an ox, so large that when he made a rush
at me, and I slipped d