126 A Capture. 



What would our strict Sabbatarians in Scotland say, 

 if they only knew how their countrymen had been 

 employed during- the last twenty hours ? 



Early this morning and during the entire fore- 

 noon, taking advantage of the looseness of the pack, 

 we pushed our way through the cracks and lanes, 

 and by dint of great patience and perseverance, 

 succeeded by noon in extricating ourselves from 

 our icy prison, emerging into a fine piece of water, 

 not far from two other whalers. 



At about half-past two a fish was seen from the 

 masthead, and shortly after another. Six boats 

 were promptly in the water and in pursuit, when 

 more fish were seen, and all the boats were de- 

 spatched in chase. In a very short time the welcome 

 cry of " A fall ! " was called, and we heard it re- 

 echoing along the water from the various boats 

 spread out in different directions. 



Again the cry, and then another and yet another, 

 and before five o'clock our boats were fast to no 

 less than four fish ! Our success must have been 

 most tantalizing and vexatious to the two ships in 

 company, who, though amongst the whales, with the 

 same opportunities as ourselves, failed to secure a 



waters. The old males have a most offensive smell, which has 

 suggested the name fcetida. 



" Web-footed seals forsake the stormy swell, 



And sleep in herds exhaling nauseous smell." — Homer. 



