nical shape, are prepared,
to hold each about a dozen birds. They are lined with leaves, then
packed with the birds, the melted fat being run into all the interstices
until the basket is full. The top is then neatly tied up with more
leaves, and, thus preserved, the contents will keep in cool weather an
indefinite length of time.

Captain Count was soon recognized by some of his old friends, who were
delighted to welcome him again. Their faces fell, however, when he told
them that his stay was to be very brief, and that he only required four
good-sized fish to fill up. Inquiry as to the prevalence of sperm whales
in the vicinity elicited the news that they were as plentiful as they
had ever been--if anything, more so, since the visits of the whalers had
become fewer. There were a couple of "bay" whaling stations existing;
but, of course, their success could not be expected to be great among
the cachalots, who usually keep a respectful distance from harbours,
while they had driven the right whales away almost entirely.

No one could help being struck by the manly bearing, splendid physique,
and simple manners of the inhabitants. If ever it falls to the lot of
any one, as I hope it will, to establish a sperm whale fishery in these
regions, there need be no lack of workers while such grand specimens
of manhood abound there as we saw--all, moreover, fishermen and whalers
from their earliest days.

We did not go far afield, but hovered within ten or fifteen miles of the
various entrances, so as not to be blown off the land in case of sudden
bad weather. Even with that timid offing, we were only there two days,
when an enormous school of sperm whales hove in sight. I dare not say
how many I believe there were, and my estimate really might be biassed;
but this I know, that in no given direction could one look to seaward
and not see many spouts.

We got among them and had a good time, being more hampered by the
curiosity of the unattached fish than by the pugnacity of those under
our immediate attention. So we killed three, and by preconcerted signal
warned the watchers on the lofty points ashore of our success. As
speedily as possible off came four boats from the shore stations, and
hooked on to two of our fish, while we were busy with the third. The
wind being off shore, what there was of it, no time was to be lost, in
view of the well-known untrustworthiness of the weather; so we started
to cut-in at once, while the shor