158 Rough Weather. 



a fresh breeze blowing straight up the inlet, rais- 

 ing a nasty tumble of a sea, reminding me in an 

 unpleasant manner of the Atlantic. We have also 

 our usual accompaniment, a villainous mist which, 

 freezing on the ropes, causes a shower of ice every 

 time we tack, the rigging being perfectly encrusted 

 with a hoary coat. We have been cruising back- 

 wards and forwards along the land ice, which ex- 

 tends across the inlet from North Somerset to the 

 opposite shore, nothing being visible in conse- 

 quence of the thick weather which prevails. Taking 

 advantage of the utter inability to fish, everyone, 

 with the exception of the regular watch, lias 

 devoted himself to the drowsy god, and I have 

 been left all day in sole possession of the cabin and 

 the greasy spot between the main mast and the 

 winch, which I have selected as my only place for 

 exercise. Two other whalers were observed at 

 intervals during the day. I am much afraid that 

 the ice will prevent us from advancing further up 

 the inlet, and the captain does not like the idea of 

 my leaving the ship, as he does not know when he 

 may be compelled to go out again. If we see no 

 fish, we shall certainly return to our old fishing 

 ground, the middle ice, between Cape Byam Martin 

 and Cape Graham Moore. 



Mondatj, June oQth. — A lovely bright clear 

 morning. The sun, shining brilliantly over the 

 snow-clad table-land on each side of the inlet, 



