356 LEAVING THE INDIAN OCEAN. 



the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean ; just three years, 

 two months, and eleven days from the time we passed 

 from it into the Indian Ocean, with a prospect of 

 three years whaling before us ; all buoyant with hope, 

 and not a doubt entering the thoughts of any that, by 

 the time we were thus far on our return passage, we 

 should be full of oil. But it is needless to say that 

 such is far from being the case. 



It cannot be supposed that we left the Indian 

 Ocean, whose broad bosom was our home for so 

 many months, with any regret. Indeed, there was 

 little to endear it to the remembrance of any one 

 who ever experienced its changeable and heavy 

 weather, and who has been obliged to visit its miser- 

 able ports. We have had a pretty thorough acquaint- 

 ance with it, having navigated its entire length, and 

 cruised, day after day, in its waters, from latitude 8° 

 to 42° south. 



After entering the Atlantic Ocean we steered to 

 the northward and westward, until we arrived in 

 latitude 32° south, longitude 7° east. This locality is 

 known as the Carroll ground, and is a favorite resort 

 of the South Atlantic whalemen. Here, as we had 

 good weather, but saw no whales, all hands were 

 occupied in repairing and renewing the rigging, to 

 get the ship in order for a return home. It is a 

 great point of honor among seamen to return their 

 rigging in as good, if not better order than when 

 they received it, with a view to commendation from 

 their owners; consequently the lower rigging was 

 turned in anew, particular care being taken to have 

 everything as nice as possible: blocks must be new- 

 strapped, and neatly covered with canvas; all ser- 



