THE ENGLISH WHALERS IO5 



Der Browerfs lee side. With a final wave to their 

 rescuers the three shipwrecked mariners clambered down 

 the sloping sides into the waiting boat. 



Not a word had been spoken between the Dutch and 

 the English but as the boat drew away there came from 

 the deck of the Der Browery the sound of derisive laughter 

 which seemed to say, 'Keep your precious fiord, proud 

 Englishmen, for we can find our fresh water elsewhere. 

 Our holds are full of blubber and you are welcome to any 

 whale you may find in the short time you have left before 

 the ice drives you homewards.' 



But the young English officer, in his neat coat of seal- 

 skin and tricorn hat trimmed with gold, turned his back 

 on the Dutchmen and steered his boat towards the 

 fourteen-gun ship which lay with mainyard hauled aback 

 awaiting its return. 



As the boat ran under the ship's stern Jonathan looked 

 up and read the name inscribed in gilt letters on the high 

 trzxisom.: Rose of Kent, 



The captain in whose presence they soon found them- 

 selves was a big round man with a merry red face under a 

 white powdered periwig and was dressed so smartly in his 

 coat of blue and gold, white doublet and blue breeches 

 that one might have thought him preparing to step ashore 

 to the South Sea Company's offices in London, at any 

 moment. 



After a brief interrogation he concluded jocularly, 

 'Now off with the three of ye and see that ye earn your 

 salt till we reach London,' and turning to the officer in 

 the sealskin coat who waited by the door. Tut them to 

 work, Mr. Johnson, as soon as you like.' 



Mr. Johnson, the fourth mate, however, was more 

 concerned with the whales that he hoped were being 

 pursued by some of the shallops inside the fiord and giving 

 the trio brief instructions about hammocks and ship's 

 routine he left them to their own devices. After finding 



