126 OLD WHALING DAYS. 



The ice now began to come into the harbour. Some of 

 the sailing ships got under weigh and proceeded to the 

 outside, as the body of ice in the offing was gradually 

 closing on the land. 



Our little company consisted of two steamers and two 

 sailing vessels, which stayed in the expectation of the wind 

 drawing off the land, and a probable chance of securing a 

 whale or two. This is all very well, if we knew for a cer- 

 tainty that it would be so ; but having been caught here 

 once before I was very dubious. When these inlets and 

 small bays are filled with ice in the latter part of the year, it 

 seldom clears out until the next autumn. Instead of the 

 wind changing, it blew stronger from the north, bringing a 

 greater body of ice down, and cutting off our way out. The 

 prospect was a very dreary, one, we having no extra 

 provisions. However, the steamers which were in our 

 company kindly took us in tow, and with great difficulty 

 steamed with us to the outside, where we lay until daybreak, 

 when they again took us in tow until we reached clear water, 

 which enabled us to work under canvas. 



The ice continued to drift rapidly south in a body, and 

 pack along the land ; this prevented us from fishing. The 

 weather increasing in severity, we could not lower our boats 

 for several days on account of the heavy sea, and there was 

 no possibility of getting into a safe harbour, unless we ran 

 to Cumberland Gulf, but it was too late in the season to go 

 there with a sailing ship. The most prudent course was to 

 bear up for home. We had a good supply of fresh water, 

 which we had obtained in Cape Hooper harbour. After 

 stowing our boats, we bade adieu once more to the country 

 of ice and snow. 



During the passage home we encountered heavy weather, 

 which drove us northward. The first land we sighted was 

 Suderoe, one of the Faroe Islands, and the wind still being 

 southerly, we stood close to the land and tacked. The 



