July, 1858. THE WHALERS AGAIN. 125 



' Enterprise ' and ' Investigator ' in September, '49. Upon 

 that occasion we were set free off Pond's Bay. There is a 

 very extensive loomery 1 at Cape Hay ; we regret the cir- 

 cumstances which prevent our levying a tax upon it. Here, 

 if anywhere, I expected to find a clear sea, but east winds 

 have prevailed for twenty days out of the last twenty-five, 

 and this accounts for the present state of the sea ; the next 

 succession of west winds will probably effect a prodigious 

 clearance of ice. 



2 1 j/.— Position, 73 58' N., 78 25' W. The < Tay ' was 

 seen to-day in loose ice, and much farther off the land. 

 She gradually steamed through it to the southward, and by 

 night was almost out of sight. Her appearance surprised us, 

 as we supposed she must have reached Pond's Bay long 

 ago. Ten hours' struggling with steam and sails at the 

 most favourable intervals has only advanced us five miles. 

 The weather is remarkably warm, bright, and pleasant. A 

 very large bear came within 150 yards, and was shot by 

 Petersen, the Minie bullet passing through his body. This 

 beast measured 8 ft. 3 in. in length ; his fat carcase was 

 hoisted on board with great satisfaction, as our dogs' food 

 was nearly expended. 



24M. — Last night the ice became slack enough to afford 

 some prospect of release, so we charged the nips vigorously, 

 and steamed away through devious openings towards Cape 

 Fanshawe. For several hours but little progress was made, 

 but this morning the ice became more open ; clear water 

 was seen ahead, and reached by noon. Although it is calm, 

 I prefer waiting for a breeze to expending more coals. We 

 are only ten miles from Possession Bay. The air is so very 

 clear that the land appears quite close to us. All that is 

 not mountainous is well cleared of snow. There is immense 



1 A name given to the breeding cliffs of the looms, or willocks, and 

 where they assemble each summer in countless myriads. 



