OLD WHALING DAYS. 9 



were, still far away, filled with unutterable dread lest any of 

 our dear relatives and friends should have been stricken 

 down in our absence. The following day a favourable 

 breeze sprang up. We had taken in a good supply of 

 fresh meat and potatoes, and we got under weigh and 

 sailed homewards, very much depressed, and with gloomy 

 forebodings. Off Peterhead we landed letters. The 

 fishing boats were informed of the loss of the " Lady Jane," 

 and "Superior." Both ships belonged to Peterhead, and 

 the report of these casualties made the men very sad, as 

 most of the people belonging to that place, were, at this 

 period, deeply interested in the whaling and sealing trade. 

 We only allowed ourselves one hour's stay, and we resumed 

 our journey homewards. The nearer we approached old 

 Humber, the. more anxious we became respecting the welfare 

 of those near and dear to us. Wind and weather favoured 

 us, and we arrived in the river a few days before Hull Fair. 

 Our ship's reappearance in the roads after so many months' 

 absence, was quickly reported in the town, and crowds 

 arrived on the piers to see us land. There was general 

 handshaking, and on our part eager enquiries after our dear 

 ones. Not one of us had lost a relative, and the stout 

 hearts on our ship, who had cheerfully braved the regions 

 of the northern climes, were thankful to Almighty God for 

 His mercy, in preserving from the plague all who were near 

 and dear to them during their absence. I was the last to 

 leave the ship, and I shall never forget the meeting with my 

 dear mother after seven and a half months' separation. 

 Both had gone through great danger during that eventful 

 period, and her joy and affection at having me by her side 

 once more will remain in my memory till my dying day. 

 My sister's heart, too, was full, and we rejoiced together at 

 our re-union after so many months' separation. 



The discharging of the blubber and whalebone followed 

 our arrival in port. It was in a terribly dirty state, but 



