Prepared to cross the Atlantic. 273 



we are now bowling along, at the rate of seven or 

 eight knots, before a strong northerly wind and 

 high sea. We passed several large icebergs dur- 

 ing the day. This evening we are in about the 

 latitude of Lievely, though many miles distant, 

 being in the centre of Davis' Straits. If this wind 

 lasts we shall be off Cape Farewell in three days. 

 The boats have been denuded of their whaling gear, 

 and are hoisted in-board, and we are now prepared 

 in every way to cross the Atlantic. 



Friday, September bth. — Head winds, fair winds, 

 and light winds, accompanied by a nasty jumble of 

 a sea, have been our lot for the last three days, 

 during which no sights. We imagine ourselves to 

 be about one hundred miles north-west of Cape 

 Farewell, which we hope to see to-morrow morning. 

 I do not think we can be very far off land, as this 

 evening I caught a small bird like a linnet, which 

 had been blown off shore. 



Tuesday, September 9th. — Of all the wretched, 

 miserable, and comfortless days I have ever spent, 

 the last four have eclipsed them. During the last 

 twenty-four hours we have certainly had a fair 

 wind, which in some degree compensates for the 

 discomfort and cheerlessness of the previous days. 

 " Battyfanging " about off Cape Farewell, with 

 strong variable winds and a heavy cross sea, 

 would not be cheerful on board any ship ; however, 

 it will all be at an end, I hope, in another week. 



T 



