462 WHALE-FISHERY. 



wedges caulked. This would have been very com- 

 plete, had not the mcreased flow of water overcome 

 the pumps, and covered the ceiling where the carpen- 

 ters were at work. They were, therefore, obliged to 

 wedge up the place with great expedition ; and being 

 at the same time greatly fatigued, the latter part of 

 the operation was accomplished with much less per- 

 fection than I could have wished. We, however, 

 were happy to find, that the intention for which we 

 laboured, was in some measure accomplished ; for no 

 sooner were the wedges driven from side to side, and 

 the interstices caulked, than the water, being no long- 

 er able to find a free passage between the outside and 

 inside planking, as it had previously done, now 

 sprung through the ceiling, abaft the stop-water, 

 in numerous little jets. 



Hitherto calm weather, with thick fog, having 

 constantly prevailed, was the occasion of several 

 ships remaining by us and affording us assistance, 

 which would otherwise have left us ; but the wea- 

 ther having now become clear, and a prospect of 

 prosecuting the fishery being presented, every ship 

 deserted us, except the John, and she was preparing 

 to leave us likewise. The knowledge that we should, 

 in a few hours, be left entirely alone, in a sliip that 

 was little better than a wreck, and in a situation 

 of perpetual jeopardy, at the distance of 100 miles 

 from the sea, — the persuasion that, from the great 

 quantity of water which yet flowed into the hold. 



