132 Chase after Narwhals. 



the upper deck to avoid a tumble. The smell is 

 not so objectionable as I had anticipated — perhaps 

 I am getting so accustomed to it as hardly to per- 

 ceive it. 



Apparently one of the most happy and contented 

 of our crew is the " Dummy/' as he is always called. 

 Notwithstanding his infirmities, he is a most intelli- 

 gent and willing man, besides being of a very cheer- 

 ful disposition. He is only able to make himself 

 understood by signs peculiar to himself, never 

 having learnt to talk with his fingers, or to make 

 use of any recognized deaf and dumb alphabet. 



He always appears to know intuitively when boats 

 are ordered away, or any other duties connected 

 with the working of the ship, and is generally 

 among the first. The only noise he is able to emit 

 is a disagreeable sort of croak, which sounds oddly 

 enough when he is attempting to join the men in 

 their incessant cheering on the death of a fish and 

 other occasions. 



Wednesday, June 18th. — How rapidly changes 

 take place in these regions ! Four days ago we 

 were beset in much about the same place as we are 

 at present by closely packed ice ; now the ice is of 

 a straggling description, and the water, as far as the 

 eye can see, perfectly navigable. 



During the forenoon a couple of narwhals, or as 

 they are called by the whalers, " unies " (unicorn 

 abbreviated), were seen not far from the ship, and 



