The Golden Harpoon, or, Lost Among the Floes, A Story of the Whaling Grounds

Excerpt: "On the morning of the 25th day of April, 18—, the whale-ship Montpelier, of New London, anchored in one of the many bays that open along the coast of Kamschatka, where it is washed by the waters of the Sea of Ochotsk. As soon as every thing was made snug alow and aloft, the skipper rubbed his hands with complacency, and a satisfied expression was seen to cross even the face of Mr. Briggs, the first mate, who was the ship’s grumbler. “Good quarters,” remarked the captain. “Ay, ay, sir,”