The fluke-chain still hung, but the gale and sea increasing every moment, the strain at last became too powerful even for its great strength, and it snapped about daylight with the report of a gun. The wind had hauled round gradually by north-west, and was now nearly at north, and fair for the course on which we were bound. Captain Upton was on deck when the chain parted, and looked with longing eyes off the weather quarter at the lost prize till it could be seen no longer; then, satisfied no more could be done to save it, he ordered the helm up, and, setting the foresail and close-reefed fore and maintopsails, the proud ship once more bounded before the favorable gale, laying her course inside of the Falklands for Cape Horn. CHAPTER XI. PROMOTION.--"COOPER'S NOVELS."--THE MATE MORALIZES.--CAPE HORN. The vacancy occasioned by the death of Mr. Johnson was filled by the promotion of Bunker to be third mate; and the next matter for consideration was the selection of a boatsteerer for the larboard boat. The two Nantucket boys were not, as yet, old enough or stout enough for this duty. Old Jeff and the two Portuguese, from their experience, were eligible candidates; but it seems Father Grafton had determined, so far as he was concerned, to promote his bowman to that office. Captain Upton, as I afterwards learned, was disposed to leave the choice in the mate's hands, merely reminding him of the necessity of due consideration in a matter so important. "You know," said he, "we can't afford to have whales missed. However, 'Blacksmith' seems a likely young man about the ship, and as for his conduct in a boat you are better qualified to judge than I am, as he has been at your bow oar. So, if you think he will do his work, try him. Let him have one chance, at any rate; we must run a risk with somebody." The weather had moderated at this time so that the ship was running under whole topsails; and a new boat had already been taken from overhead, and was in process of fitting for service to take her place on the starboard cranes. The word was passed for "Blacksmith" to appear on the quarter deck. The old man and Father Grafton were in consultation as I came aft and stood under their lee, respectfully waiting for orders. "Blacksmith," asked the captain, turning suddenly upon me, "can you strike a whale?" "I think I could, sir, if I was within reach of him," I answered. "Do you want to try yourself?" he asked. "Yes, sir," said I quietly, and yet confidently, too. "Remember," said the old man, "if you fail once, with a good chance, you must give it up and let somebody else come in. We can't affort to have any '_foopaws_.'[2] Mr. Grafton thinks you will do it well, and has said a good word for you."