6 VOYAGE TO THE POLAR SEA. June 



falling of chairs, books &c, we should have enjoyed per- 

 fect silence. On the 18th a single storm petrel was seen 

 in lat. 57° 26' N., the most northern point at which this 

 species was observed by us. After three days of fairly 

 good weather the barometer again began to fall, and on 

 the 19th and 20th we had to put up with our third gale 

 from the westward in as many weeks. The hatchways 

 being necessarily battened down, it was very dark, wet, 

 and uncomfortable below, to sav nothing of the close- 

 ness of the atmosphere. By this time our small stock of 

 poultry had succumbed to the weather, and drowned 

 fowls were said to figure prominently on the wardroom 

 table. On the 21st, although the barometer was still 

 low, we made good way on our course, and for the 

 next three days experienced light winds and calms, 

 Taking advantage of the fine weather, one of a pair 

 of homing pigeons was granted its liberty, in the hope 

 that, as the mate was sitting on eggs, it would remain 

 in attendance ; but after one or two circles round the 

 ship it deserted us and flew off to the southward to 

 find, in all probability, a watery grave. The story is 

 told that a pair of carrier pigeons, despatched by Sir 

 John Eoss from the Arctic regions, returned to their 

 home in Scotland. This error has been perpetuated in 

 more than one popular work on Arctic discovery ; it is 

 almost needless to say that the tale is not worthy of 

 serious consideration. 



On the 25th we passed Cape Farewell at a distance 

 of about 100 miles, and sighted a homeward-bound 

 vessel returning to Scotland with a cargo of cryolite 

 from the mine at Evigtok. Nearing the land many 

 birds collected around the ship, kitti wakes reappeared, 



