96 



AUDUBON 



July 12. I had a beautiful view of a Whale about five 

 hundred yards from the vessel when we first perceived it; 

 the water thrown from his spiracles had the appearance of 

 a small, thick cloud, twelve or fourteen feet wide. Never 

 have I felt the weather so cold in July. We are well 

 wrapped up, and yet feel chilly in the drizzling rain. 



July U). Yesterday-night ended the ninth Sunday 

 passed at sea; the weather continues cold, but the wind is 

 propitious. We are approaching land, and indeed I 

 thought I smelt the "land smell." We have had many 

 Whales near us during the day, and an immense number of 

 Porpoises ; our captain, who prefers their flesh to the best 

 of veal, beef, or mutton, said he would give five dollars for 

 one ; but our harpoon is broken, and although several 

 handles were fastened for a while to the grain, the weapon 

 proved too light, and the fish invariably made their escape 

 after a few bounces, probably to go and die in misery. 

 European Hawks were seen, and two Curlews; these 

 gave me hope that we might see the long desired land 

 shortly. 



Jtily 18, 1826. The sun is shining clear over Ireland; 

 that land was seen at three o'clock this morning by the 

 man at the helm, and the mate, with a stentorian voice, 

 announced the news. As we approached the coast a 

 small boat neared us, and came close under our lee; the 

 boat looked somewhat like those employed in bringing in 

 heavy loads to New Orleans, but her sails were more 

 tattered, her men more fair in complexion. They hailed 

 us and offered for sale fresh fish, new potatoes, fresh eggs. 

 All were acceptable, I assure thee. They threw a light 

 line to us most dexterously. Fish, potatoes, and eggs were 

 passed to us, in exchange for whiskey, salt pork, and to- 

 bacco, which were, I trust, as acceptable to them as their 

 wares were to us. I thought the exchange a fair one, but 

 no ! — they called for rum, brandy, whiskey, more of every- 

 thing. Their expressions struck me with wonder ; it was 



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