igo OLD WHALING DAYS. 



could manage to reeve among the pieces, so we manned 

 them, but had not gone more than half a mile when the 

 signal was given to return and prepare to get under weigh. 

 The ice became more packed, and it was with great 

 difficulty we steamed out of the harbour and reached the 

 north side. We began to doubt whether we should be able 

 to clear the land, as the ice tightened visibly, but fortunately 

 for us the land was steep, with the exception of one out- 

 lying point, which sailors formerly called the Horse Market. 

 I do not know for what reason that name was given to it, 

 unless it was on account of boats belonging to sailing 

 vessels making it a rendezvous in past years. I have seen as 

 many as sixty there at a time, preparing their coffee, etc. 

 The reader may imagine the commotion and scramble for 

 the boats when a whale made its appearance. Some men 

 would get into the wrong boat, and could not get exchanged 

 until evening. 



With the assistance of steam and warps, we managed to 

 pass the point and get into a narrow lane of water very 

 close to the land, and had to brace our yards sharp up for 

 fear they might catch the perpendicular cliff. We cleared 

 the land in safety, and got into more open water, where we 

 were able to set our sails. I believe if we had stayed a few 

 hours longer, we should have been fast for the whole 

 winter. 



We were exceedingly fortunate in getting clear, for I do 

 not think a worse place than this could be found to winter 

 in, there being no natives within a hundred miles. We 

 dodged about for a few days, but the ice still drove us 

 south, and at last we ran for Exeter Sound, as there are no 

 harbours from Durban to that place. On our arrival, we 

 anchored in what is called the outer harbour. This 

 anchorage is exposed to easterly winds. When there is no 

 ice to shelter it, a heavy swell rolls in. The inner harbour 

 is well sheltered from the sea, but the distance to pull to 



