132 REFLECTIONS ON WALRUS FOOD. [September, 



tinned to eat it for example sake. Others also dislike 

 particular birds. But my principle invariably is, to 

 endeavour to make anything fit for food palatable, and, 

 setting aside my inclinations, to make it suit my pur- 

 pose. I would not prefer whale or walrus flesh to the 

 best beefsteak, but I would most assuredly prefer the 

 best whale or walrus to many meats termed beef. Of 

 this walrus I not only partook heartily, but I think that 

 I overcame the objection of many, and that thereby 

 they gained a wholesome and nourishing food, instead 

 of semi-starvation. I had almost forgotten to mention 

 that, in order to prove our boat, I started with four 

 hands in chase of some ducks in the open water, killed 

 four, aud a grey doveky, which were divided as four 

 w r ould be by three, the lawyer taking the remainder for 

 his pains ; they afforded, with walrus and bacon, a very 

 acceptable meal. 



On the 29th we experienced strong gales from east- 

 south-east, which caused the ice to break up rapidly and 

 drift off. The tide at noon today rose beyond its ordi- 

 nary level, carrying off all the heavy grounded masses of 

 ice, and denuding the shores of the island to the gravel ; 

 an occurrence of sea-washed beach not witnessed by us 

 since the 28th of August. 



On the 30th, the wind having changed to the south- 

 west during the night, the loose ice packed in upon us, 

 and toward the evening it moderated greatly, leaving a 

 fine, clear night, with a temperature of 22, but much 

 too warm for our excited feelings. At nine I made the 

 preconcerted signal to the ship for assistance, viz. two 

 rockets. Venus showing between the passing clouds at 



