OLD WHALING DAYS. 55 



ice edge, and tried every bight as usual until we reached the 

 tail end of the ice, off Cape Walsingham, on the south side 

 of Exeter Sound. The ice was packed upon the west coast, 

 so we again proceeded north, about 70 miles, and 

 entered a deep bight which we had passed during a 

 dense fog. It would have been much better to have 

 stayed until it had cleared away had we known. Through 

 this .deep bight we had no trouble in getting into the west 

 water, the ice forming the south part of the bight had 

 separated from the main body. Some of the ships had got 

 across several days before. We ran along the west land in 

 clear water with a fine S.W. wind until we came to Home 

 Bay, but saw no whales. We went off amongst the slack 

 ice in the offing. Several whales were seen, and boats sent 

 in pursuit, but without success. We shot several bears, and 

 captured two fine ones alive. We used a lasso to take 

 them. The rope is rove through the boat's ring in the 

 stem, and thrown over the bear's head. When it is over, you 

 must be very smart to take in the slack, but once the animal 

 is drawn tight up to the ring of the boat, it is secure, and 

 cannot do any mischief unless any unforeseen occurrence 

 takes place. It is rather a dangerous performance, particu- 

 larly if the boat's crew are not quick, or if there is any 

 clumsiness on the part of the harpooner or boatsteerer. 

 The bears were got on board, and made securely fast to ring 

 bolts in the deck, with ropes round each foot and neck 

 until the cooper prepared a cask with iron grating at one 

 end. I heard tell of a harpooner, the year before, forgetting 

 to reeve the rope through the ring of the boat, and when 

 the noose was round the bear's neck, he climbed into the 

 boat. Happily for the crew the animal jumped out again. 

 They ran to the after part of the boat, all the weapons were 

 forward. It was always the best and safest plan to have a 

 gun and lance ready. In this case the bear was shot. 

 Cruising about for several days, and seeing no whales 



