OLD WHALING DAYS. 161 



the nights were getting longer and darker, numerous bergs 

 were in the vicinity, and showers of snow were more 

 frequent. 



One night when off Cape Dyer, and among a number of 

 bergs, a very heavy swell set in from the southward, 

 accompanied by thick snow. All hands were called to 

 hold themselves in readiness in case of emergency. There 

 was such a light breeze, that the ship had not steerage way. 

 The noise of the sea breaking upon the bergs sounded 

 weird and dreadful, and the blinding snow prevented us 

 seeing how far we were from them, and being in the centre 

 of this cluster, made us fervently wish for steam, and 

 earnestly pray for daylight, which came at last, and with it 

 a breeze that took us clear of the surrounding dangers. 



The snow ceased falling, and we directed our course 

 towards Cumberland Gulf, and in a few days brought up 

 in Niatlik, where we found the Alibi and Sophia, both of 

 Aberdeen, and a small schooner called the Franklin, 

 belonging to New London, U.S., commanded by Captain 

 Buddington. Those three vessels intended wintering in 

 this place, and had pledged themselves to assist each other, 

 the Alibi and Sophia on the one side, and the American 

 schooner on the other. This pledge was broken by the 

 former party shortly after our arrival. One day, three 

 boats belonging to our ship followed a whale several miles, 

 which led us into a small bay some distance from the 

 harbour. We were engaged with her about four hours, and 

 were several times nearly within reach of her, but she 

 contrived to escape, and made for the offing. One of the 

 American boats manned by Esquimaux, was pulling on 

 board, when the fish rose close to his boat and he struck 

 her, we went to assist him, as no other boats were near, 

 except one belonging to the Alibi. When coming in sight 

 of the ships, they saw us and sent more boats. Already 

 one of our harpooners had fired his harpoon into the fish, 



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