CHAPTER VII. 



SOUTHERN CRUISE. 

 1839. 



On the 25th of February, having completed the arrangements for 

 the southern cruise, and prepared instructions for the continuance of 

 the duties of the Expedition in case of my being detained among the 

 ice, the signal was ordered to be made for the vessels to get under 

 way, when I joined the Porpoise. Very many of my crew were 

 desirous of following me, and expressed regrets and disappointment 

 that the Vincennes was not going south. All I could do, was to 

 promise them enough of Antarctic cruising the next year, and I believe 

 they are now all satisfied that I kept my word. About 7 a. m., we left 

 the harbour, with a light breeze from the north, having the Sea-Gull, 

 of which vessel Lieutenant Johnson was in charge, in company. On 

 passing the other vessels of the squadron, we received three hearty 

 cheers, which were duly returned. 



Various causes conspired to render our short stay in Orange 

 Harbour the turning point of the discipline of the cruise. 1 cannot but 

 express my surprise, even at this distant day, that any officers 

 embarked in this undertaking could have so far lost sight of their duty 

 as to attempt to throw obstacles in the way of the prompt execution of 

 the duties they owed to the country, and the service on which they 

 were engaged, or would have allowed selfish feelings to predominate 

 over those for the public good. Prompt and energetic action soon put 

 an end to these small difficulties. 



At the mouth of the harbour, Captain Hudson and the few officers 

 who had accompanied us, took their leave. I must own at that moment 

 I felt greatly depressed, for I was well aware that we had many, very 

 many dangers to encounter before meeting again. But there is a feeling 

 produced by the kind of service on which we were engaged, that gives 

 a stout heart, braces it for meeting almost every emergency that may 



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