whetted.  He remained aloft all night, and so did I on deck, to get possession of him when he should descend.  I was so eager in my frenzy to obtain him, that I felt neither cold nor hunger; the weather during the day was now warm enough to be pleasant, but the nights were piercing.  My fat shipmate remained in the top for three days and nights, during which period I never removed from my post.  At the close of the third day he looked over the top brim, and implored my mercy.  When he showed himself I hardly knew him, so much had he wasted away, and it then struck me, that if he remained aloft much longer he would have no more fat than the others, and would not serve my purpose.  I therefore pledged him my honour, that I would not attempt his life for ten days; and as he was perishing with the cold, he agreed to the armistice, and once more descended to the deck.  But I was saved the crime of murder, for he was so ravenous when he came down, that he ate nearly the whole of a man’s leg, and died from repletion during the night.  I cannot express to your highness the satisfaction that I felt at finding that the carcase of the harpooner was in my possession.  I surveyed my treasure over and over again with delight.  I could now cook my French dishes.  He was soon dissected, and all his unctuous parts carefully melted down, and I found that I had a stock which would last me as long as the bodies which I had remaining to exercise my skill upon.  The first day I succeeded admirably—­I cooked my dishes; and when they were ready I took off my night-cap and apron, passed my fingers through my hair, and fancied myself a garcon at a restaurateur’s.  I laid the cloth, put the dishes on the table, and when it was complete, went on deck and then returned as the bon vivant who had ordered the dinner.

Never was any meal so delicious to my insane fancy.  I devoured every thing which I cooked, and drank water for champagne.  I meditated upon what I should have for dinner on the ensuing day, and then retired to my bed.  In the meantime the ice had separated, and the ship was again afloat; but I cared not:  all my ideas were concentrated in the pleasures of the table—­and the next morning I went on deck to obtain a piece of meat, when I was astonished at a terrific growl.  I turned my head and perceived an enormous white bear, who was making sad depredations in my larder, having nearly finished the whole body of one of my dead shipmates.  He was as large as an ox, so large that when he made a rush at me, and I slipped down the ladder, he could not follow me.  I again looked up, and perceived that he had finished his meal.  After walking round the decks two or three times, smelling at every thing, he plunged overboard and disappeared.