prosecute the study of this wonderful branch of the great mollusca
family.

When we commenced to cut in our whale next morning, the sea was fairly
alive with fish of innumerable kinds, while a vast host of sea-birds, as
usual, waited impatiently for the breaking-up of the huge carcass, which
they knew would afford them no end of a feast. An untoward accident,
which happened soon after the work was started, gave the waiting myriads
immense satisfaction, although the unfortunate second mate, whose slip
of the spade was responsible, came in for a hurricane of vituperation
from the enraged skipper. It was in detaching the case from the
head--always a work of difficulty, and requiring great precision of aim.
Just as Mr. Cruce made a powerful thrust with his keen tool, the vessel
rolled, and the blow, missing the score in which he was cutting, fell
upon the case instead, piercing its side. For a few minutes the result
was unnoticed amidst the wash of the ragged edges of the cut, but
presently a long streak of white, wax-like pieces floating astern, and
a tremendous commotion among the birds, told the story. The liquid
spermaceti was leaking rapidly from the case, turning solid as it got
into the cool water. Nothing could be done to stop the waste, which,
as it was a large whale, was not less than twenty barrels, or about two
tuns of pure spermaceti. An accident of this kind never failed to make
our skipper almost unbearable in his temper for some days afterwards;
and, to do him justice, he did not discriminate very carefully as to who
felt his resentment besides its immediate cause.

Therefore we had all a rough time of it while his angry fit lasted,
which was a whole week, or until all was shipshape again. Meanwhile we
were edging gradually through the Malacca Straits and around the big
island of Borneo, never going very near the land on account of the great
and numerous dangers attendant upon coasting in those localities to any
but those continually engaged in such a business.

Indeed, all navigation in those seas to sailing vessels is dangerous,
and requires the greatest care. Often we were obliged at a minute's
notice to let go the anchor, although out of sight of land, some rapid
current being found carrying us swiftly towards a shoal or race,
where we might come to grief. Yet there was no fuss or hurry, the same
leisurely old system was continued, and worked as well as ever. But it
was not apparent why we were threadi