Disappointment. 43 



drawn, and in doing so its sharp edge had severed 

 the fore gore to which the gun-harpoon was at- 

 tached. This latter the unfortunate fish carried 

 away embedded in its flesh, a painful and uncom- 

 fortable souvenir. The hand harpoon, which we 

 recovered, was bent and twisted in a surprising 

 manner. We had been fast to the fish over four 

 hours. 



The captain, though sorely tried, soon recovered 

 his usual good temper and jovial spirits, consoling 

 himself by saying that it might have been worse, as 

 he might have also lost all his lines. We must hope 

 for better luck next time. We succeeded in steam- 

 ing out clear of the pack at about 6 p.m., and, put- 

 ting the ship once more under canvas, " lay to " in 

 a regular bight formed by the ice, which is regarded 

 as a likely-looking place for fish. 



Tuesday, May 20tJo. — The last three days have 

 been passed with the usual bustle and excitement 

 attendant on seeing- whales ; boats have been low- 

 ered, but have always returned unsuccessful, after 

 long and wearisome chases. Occasionally a boat 

 would approach nearly to striking distance, but 

 only to be disappointed by the fish escaping under 

 the ice just as the harpooneer was rising to his gun. 

 These little failures are all most annoying and vexa- 

 tious ; it is very tantalizing getting so many 

 chances, and yet always being unsuccessful in our 

 attempts to secure a prize. Our men are very 



