TO ORKNEY AND SHETLAND. 7l 



who it was, he sent his servants to assist us in 

 drawing up the boat; and by the time we got into 

 the house there was a good fire made to dry us, and 

 a hot supper which was very acceptable. After 

 supper and a glass of grog we retired to bed ; the 

 gale lasted for two days, and although we were 

 only six miles from head quarters, we could not 

 attempt the passage until the third day, by which 

 time we had collected specimens of all the birds 

 inhabiting these islands that I was desirous of 

 procuring. Having nothing particular to do while 

 waiting the arrival of the Isabella from Davis's 

 Straits, in which ship I intended to proceed to 

 Hull, we amused ourselves with fishing until she 

 arrived on the 12th October, when as soon as she 

 brought up I went on board, and to my agreeable 

 surprise, Captain Humphreys introduced me to 

 Captain, now Sir John, Ross and his officers, who 

 had been picked up in the Straits, upon which I 

 told Captain Humphreys that as he had so many 

 passengers on board I should decline going with 

 him ; but with his usual kindness he would not 

 hear of it, adding, there was plenty of room and I 

 was quite welcome. I thanked him for his kind- 

 ness, and after taking a glass of wine went on 

 shore and set about getting my things on board, 

 which being effected, and a fair wind springing up, 



