We were now having very good success in whaling, having taken about one hundred and fifty barrels since leaving port. On Friday, February 13th, we saw whales, and lowered all the boats. Each boat soon fastened to a separate whale. The one to which the bow boat fastened appeared inclined to show fight. After running a short distance, he would turn and rush with open jaws for the boat, but the crew were rather too quick for him, and would dodge the enraged monster. Getting tired of this play, he finally sounded. All hands were now watching to see where he would “break water,” and at the same time hauling in slack line. Presently they were all startled by the appearance of a huge jaw, well filled with teeth, coming through the bottom of the boat. One of the crew, who sat immediately over the spot, was thrown into the air in the shape of a spread eagle, and came down into the water not hurt, but badly frightened. The boat instantly filled, as a large portion of her bottom was gone, treating the whole crew to a ducking. The whale, appearing perfectly satisfied with what had been done, left for parts unknown, with the ship’s mark clinging to him. Out of the general conflict we secured two whales, which we took alongside, and soon had their jackets off and into casks. [Illustration: TRADING AT PLEASANT ISLAND.] From here we proceeded to Pleasant Island, and sighted it on Thursday, February 19th. The captain struck a bargain with one of the chiefs for five thousand old cocoanuts and twenty-five large hogs, for which he was to pay in muskets, tobacco, etc. On arriving at the ship with the hogs and cocoanuts, they were found to be wanting both in quality and quantity. The captain refused to receive them unless the chief was willing to receive pay in proportion to what he had brought. This the copper-colored rascal refused to do, and demanded payment for the whole amount _agreed_ to be furnished; but the captain was firm, and distinctly told him and his natives that he would pay them for no more than they had brought. At this they became greatly enraged, and the captain ordered them to take their property and leave. This they refused to do, declaring they would not go until they had received pay for every thing they had agreed to bring. We now apprehended some disturbance; the natives were getting excited; we knew them to be the worst and most sanguinary tribe on the island; the captain was becoming angry, and we anticipated quite a little time. As they appeared determined not to go, the captain ordered hogs, natives, and cocoanuts all pitched overboard, and we commenced with the cocoanuts first, throwing them into the water; the hogs soon followed, and the natives, anxious to save their property, went of their own accord, gladly saving us from a personal encounter, in which we felt that we would have fared the worse.