36 OLD WHALING DAYS. 



The season was advancing with rapid strides, and it was 

 considered prudent to retrace our steps to the southward, as 

 the blink in the sky denoted that the south water was not 

 far off. To the north was nothing but ice. The next 

 day the ice slacked, and we began to prepare for retreating, 

 excepting the Alexander, of Dundee, Captain Sturrock. 

 Sir Edward promised to assist him into the north 

 water. We gave the expedition cheers, and wished them 

 every success on their mission of relief. They responded, 

 and we parted. We reached the south water, and proceeded 

 to examine every bight or slack part of the ice to the south- 

 ward, in hopes of getting to the west side in time for the 

 whales. We could not get through, so made for Cape Searle. 

 There we got into the west water, and after several stoppages 

 arrived off Agnes' Monument, a little to the northward 

 of the river Clyde. This is a favourite resort for the whales 

 at this time of the year. We fell in with the Alexander, 

 with whom the commander of the expedition had faithfully 

 kept his promise, as a British seaman and gentleman. Every 

 Englishman ought to be proud of the officers of both the 

 army and the navy. I think there is no nation in the 

 world so favoured by having such gallant sons as old 

 England. After we parted company with the Alexander 

 and his friends, they had very little difficulty in getting into 

 the north water. It must be understood that the expedition 

 had steam vessels to tow them along, and there is a wide 

 difference between the using of steam power, and having to 

 drag the ship at a snail's pace. They gave him a tow to- 

 wards the west land. His course lay further south, and 

 their's was for Lancaster Sound. He then parted company 

 with them, and arriving at the land floe, got as far as Agnes' 

 Monument before he sighted any whales. They killed 

 four, and had them lashed alongside. The weather having 

 a nice settled appearance, the master decided to 

 give his men four hours' rest, as they had been up a long 



