OLD WHALING DAYS. 25 



so far south. A fine breeze came off the land and blew the 

 loose ice from the land floes. We got as far as Cape Kater 

 and sighted a whale. It cheered us up for a moment, but 

 we did not succeed in getting near to her. Every day our 

 boats were away, sometimes for hours, but without success. 

 We shot a few bears during the time we were cruising about, 

 and a walrus. 



Some people may think that when whales are not found 

 there is no work to do, but I can assure them there is less 

 work in a full ship than with a clean one. When not on 

 fishing grounds, the crews are constantly employed under 

 the boatswain, wind and weather permitting. On board 

 things may not be so pleasant as they ought, for there are 

 people who will show their ill-temper when they can. 

 Boats manned have been sent away for hours when nothing 

 has been seen, especially when it was a cold, bitter day, on 

 account of the captain having heard some one grumbling 

 or saying we ought to do this or that. If the captain 

 was in the crow's nest, every word could be heard that 

 was spoken below, especially when the wind was light. 

 Discipline was very strict on board in those days. Our 

 articles were signed by us to kill, slay, and destroy any 

 living animal or animals in the waters by day or by night, 

 at the order of the captain. 



September now being in, we made the best of our way 

 towards Cape Searle or Malemauk Head. This is an 

 island with a very perpendicular cliff. At the back part 

 is good anchorage for a few ships. It has only one way 

 in, and that is from the north. The south entrance has a 

 bar across with only eight to ten feet of water over it, 

 otherwise it would be a very safe place. When the 

 ice comes down from the north, great care has to be used, 

 and a good look out kept, for it sweeps round Merchants' 

 Bay into this place. During the latter part of the season, 

 when the north winds prevail, and the ice once gets into 



