86 ADVENTURES IN THE NORTHERN SEAS. 



cles as harpooner at 20 dollars per mensem. To 

 be a good harpooner requires great courage, activi- 

 ty, and presence of mind ; and it is a common re- 

 mark that "not one man in a hundred is capable 

 of ever becoming a good one. " Jack has been six 

 voyages to Spitzbergen, but has never acted as har- 

 pooner before ; but, being a cool, active, and ener- 

 getic fellow, I think there is the making of one in 

 him. Solomon never will be one as long as he 

 lives. 



Beautiful bright morning with west wind. We 

 have beat back to the Thousand Islands during the 

 night, as our people suppose that the great herds 

 of walruses we saw have gone there. Ice very 

 much dispersed since we were here before. 



Dined upon stewed walrus veal — very good meat, 

 and without the disagreeable fishy flavor of seal, 

 but slightly insipid. 



Saw no game all day, but one walrus in the wa- 

 ter. Calm in the evening. 



