VIII.] A PARTING IN A LONELY SPOT. 125 



So evidently they had given it up as a bad job, and had 

 come to the conclusion that the island was inaccessible. 

 Yet it seemed very hard to have to turn back, after 

 coming so far ! We had already made upwards of 300 

 miles since leaving Iceland : it could not be much above 

 120 or 130 more to Jan May en ; and although things 

 looked unpromising, there still seemed such a chance of 

 success, that I could not find it in my heart to give in ; 

 so, having run up a jack at the fore — all writing on our 

 board was out of the question, we were so deluged with 

 spray — I jumped down to wake Fitzgerald and Sigurdr, 

 and tell them we were going to cast off, in case they had 

 any letters to send home. In the meantime, I scribbled a 

 line of thanks and good wishes to M. de la Ronciere, and 

 another to you, and guyed it with our mails on board the 

 corvette — in a milk can. 



In the meantime all was bustle on board our decks, and 

 I think every one was heartily pleased at the thoughts of 

 getting the little schooner again under canvas. A couple of 

 reefs were hauled down in the mainsail and staysail, and 

 everything got ready for making sail. 



" Is all clear for'ard for slipping, Mr. Wyse ? " 



"Ay, ay, Sir; all clear!" 



" Let go the tow-ropes ! " 



" All gone, Sir ! " 



And down went the heavy hawsers into the sea, up flut- 

 tered the staysail, — then — poising for a moment on the 

 waves with the startled hesitation of a bird suddenly set 

 free, — the little creature spread her wings, thrice dipped 

 her ensign in token of adieu — receiving in return a hearty 

 cheer from the French crew — and glided like a phantom 

 into the North, while the " Reine Hortense" puffed back 

 to Iceland. 1 



1 It subsequently appeared that the " Saxon," on the second day after 

 leaving Onunder Fiord, had unfortunately knocked a hole in her bottom 

 against the ice, and was obliged to run ashore in a sinking state. In 

 consequence of never having been rejoined by her tender, the " Reine 



