58 OLD WHALING DAYS. 



were dead. The majority were further up the Gulf. It was 

 in this place our mate died two years afterwards, and was 

 buried upon a small island lying in the middle of the har- 

 bour. I saw his grave when I was there as mate of the Emma. 

 As I stood by it I thought of him in the prime of life. He 

 was a fine, strong, healthy man only a short time previously. 

 We stayed here till it was not safe to remain any longer. 

 Not knowing the state of the ice outside, it was deemed 

 prudent to make the best of our way homeward, so we left 

 with a fine, fair wind, and a full moon to light us out of the 

 country. After a favourable passage we reached Lerwick, 

 received our letters, newspapers, and news of the Crimean 

 War. They are most anxiously looked for by us, as we 

 receive none from leaving the Shetland or Orkney Islands 

 until our return. The Arctic Regions does not boast of a 

 postal delivery, so any news is eagerly devoured. We soon 

 arrived once more at Hull, and found all at home quite 

 well. 



