Chapter 35: The Mast-Head

⁠​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​​​​⁠It was during the more pleasant weather, that in due rotation with the other seamen my first mast-head came round.

In most American whalemen the mast-heads are manned almost simultaneously with the vessel’s leaving her port; even though she may have fifteen thousand miles, and more, to sail ere reaching her proper cruising ground. And if, after a three, four, or five years’ voyage she is drawing ni