ii2 OLD WHALING DAYS. 



of being saved, which is very depressing. Yet those in 

 charge of the vessel must put such thoughts aside, and 

 think only of the arduous task before them. When once 

 safely inside, they have time to reflect and thank God for 

 preserving them. The sails were trimmed, and the ship 

 kept before the wind, heading for the pack. Luckily 

 we succeeded in getting inside of the outer edge, or crust, 

 as it is sometimes called. We again set all sail possible to 

 enable us to bore further into the pack, clear of the swell. 

 For a short time our hopes were raised, thinking we might 

 get among the seals and obtain a good voyage. Suddenly 

 the ship collided with an extra large piece of ice, which 

 caused her to broach to, broadside on to a sharp point of it, 

 and made a large hole abreast the main mast, breaking 

 three timbers and staving a cask in the hold. The pumps 

 were at once manned, and in a short time the rush of water 

 was stayed by swabs and other means. The carpenter and 

 some of the crew went below to strengthen the ship's side 

 with shores, etc. In course of time she slipped past the 

 dangerous obstacle, and we got her again before the wind 

 and swell. In two hours' time we were in safety, and 

 lay comfortably. As soon as possible a patch was bolted 

 on the outside, and the broken timbers made secure by spars 

 in the inside to the mainmast, which was opposite the 

 damaged place. This was a most serious misfortune for us, 

 and caused much anxiety the whole of the voyage. 



One beautiful, clear, frosty, bitterly cold morning, we were 

 plying among streams of ice to the northward. I was in my 

 berth, which was shared by the doctor, a very clever, 

 courteous gentleman, who awoke me, muttering incoherently. 

 On getting up I found him delirious. I called the captain, 

 who had him taken into the cabin, and made comfortable on 

 the transome locker. He appeared very drowsy, but 

 recovered a little after breakfast, and again relapsed into a 

 stupor, from which we could not rouse him, although we 



