CHAPTER V.
Seats Secured And Portmanteaus Packed But thoughts of sextants and quadrants were the least of our cares.
Right from under the very arches of the eyebrows of thirty men-- captain, mates, and crew--a boat was to be abstracted; they knowing nothing of the event, until all knowledge would prove unavailing.
Hark ye: At sea, the boats of a South Sea-man (generally four in number, spare ones omitted,) are suspended by tackles, hooked above, to curved timbers called "davits," vertically fixed to the ship's sides.
Now, no fair one with golden locks is more assiduously waited upon, or more delicately handled by her tire-women, than the slender whale- boat by her crew.

And out of its element, it seems fragile enough to justify the utmost solicitude.

For truly, like a fine lady, the fine whale-boat is most delicate when idle, though little coy at a pinch.
Besides the "davits," the following supports are provided Two small cranes are swung under the keel, on which the latter rests, preventing the settling of the boat's middle, while hanging suspended by the bow and stern.

A broad, braided, hempen band, usually worked in a tasteful pattern, is also passed round both gunwales; and secured to the ship's bulwarks, firmly lashes the craft to its place.
Being elevated above the ship's rail, the boats are in plain sight from all parts of the deck.
Now, one of these boats was to be made way with.

No facile matter, truly.