28 ADVENTURES IN THE NORTHERN SEAS. 



CHAPTER II. 



Ilammerfest. — The "Anna Louisa." — Dr. de Jongh. — Nor- 

 wegian Grouse. — Sail for Spitzbergen. — Shark Fishery. — 

 Bear or Cherie Island. — Multitudes of Sea-fowl. — Sight 

 Spitzbergen. — Post-office. — Wybe Jan's Water. — Meet the 

 Ice. — Brig Nordby. — Captain Ericson. — Disastrous Spring- 

 fishing. — Empress of India. — Loss of a Telescope and a 

 Man's Life. — Boy-walrus. — Thick Ice. — Meet the Sloop, and 

 sail in company to the East. — Shift our Flag, and send the 

 Yacht to Bell Sound. 



We dropped anchor opposite the British vice- 

 consul's house, and had that worthy official on 

 board to breakfast. He informed us that our 

 "jagt" had been got ready and was waiting for us ; 

 the boats, however, still required to be finished off 

 and painted. Several small vessels engaged in the 

 seal and walrus fishery had gone to Spitzbergen 

 more than a month ago, but nothing had been 

 heard of them since their departure. 



After breakfast, the gentleman to whom I had 

 written about the preparations came on board, 

 and in company with him we went to inspect the 

 "jagt," boats, etc. 



I had hitherto been undecided whether to leave 

 the "Ginevra" at Hammerfest, or to»take her also 

 over to Spitzbergen, but the sight and smell of the 



