" My messmates who lay
dead, were examined one by one, but they had fallen away so much
previous to their decease, that not a symptom of fat was to be
perceived. Without fat I could do nothing; and as I thought of it in
despair, my eye was caught by the rotundity of paunch which still
appertained to the English harpooner, the only living being besides
myself out of so many. "I must have fat," cried I fiercely, as I
surveyed his unwieldy carcase. He started when he observed the rolling
of my eyes, and perceiving that I was advancing towards him, sharpening
my knife, he did not think it prudent to trust himself longer in my
company. Snatching up two or three blankets, he ran on deck, and
contrived to ascend to the main-top before I could follow him. There he
held me at bay, and I continued watching him from below with my large
carving knife in my hand, which I occasionally whetted. He remained
aloft all night, and so did I on deck, to get possession of him 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.
Pages:
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210