336 OUT OF SIGHT OP LAND. Chap. XVII, 



Sunday evening, 21st. — At sea — out of sight of 

 land ! 



On tlie 19tli we were somewhat delayed by 

 loose ice off Cape Hay, but by noon yesterday 

 were close off Cape Burney, and whilst almost 

 becalmed there, a mother bear swam off to us 

 with two interesting cubs about the size of very 

 large dogs — foolish creatures ! a volley of rifles 

 decided their fate in a very few seconds. Not 

 finding any whaling vessels off Pond's Inlet, 

 the land-ice which shelters the whales having 

 all disappeared, we therefore concluded that the 

 whalers had left in consequence, so, without 

 seeking for them further south, at once changed 

 our course for Disco. 



To-day only a few icebergs have been seen. 

 There is a good deal of swell, so we tumble about. 

 Eoast veal has appeared amongst the delicacies 

 of our table since the battue of yesterday, and 

 Christian has asked for a portion of the old bear 

 to carry home to his mother. Bear's flesh is 

 really considered a delicacy in Greenland. 



25^A. — Becalmed off Hare Island, and getting 

 the steam ready. We are only 108 miles from 

 Godhavn, and the anxiety to clutch our letters 

 has become intolerable. No pack-ice has been 

 met with in our passage across Baffin's Bay, but 

 many icebergs. This morning the lofty snowr 



