CAPTAIN ERICSON. 39 



excessive cold renders the iron brittle, and concus- 

 sions with the ice are apt to start the rivets. 



The "Nordbye" herself had undergone a terrible 

 battering in that inclement season in those stormy 

 seas, and had only captured about 300 small Jan 

 Mayen seals, whereas 3000 would hardly have been 

 remunerative. Poor Ericson was farther in great 

 tribulation on account of having broken all his tel- 

 escopes. The mate, a fine young fellow of twen- 

 ty-two, only two days before had tumbled out of 

 the " crowVnest" at the main - top - gallant - mast- 

 head on to the deck, along with the last telescope, 

 and had broken it to pieces. Upon farther inquiry, 

 I ascertained that he had broken his own neck at 

 the same time, and was picked up dead. To do my 

 friend Ericson justice, I must acknowledge that he 

 seemed to regret the loss of his poor young mate 

 even more than that of the telescope, which he had 

 accompanied in its descent, although the latter was 

 quite invaluable and indispensable here, and not to 

 be replaced nearer than Hammerfest for ten times 

 its weight in gold. We had only three telescopes 

 between us ; but, after a slight inward struggle, I 

 prevailed upon myself to present one of them to 

 Ericson, and I was happy to be able to render such 

 an important service to so good and obliging a 

 fellow. 



Before parting company, we went on board the 

 "Nordbye" to see a young live walrus ("a leetle 

 boy-walrus, " as Ericson in his broken English call- 



