FROM EDINBURGH TO THE ANTARCTIC 
bolts aft the foremast, on the part of the deck between 
the fore- and the main-mast called 6 no man's land.' The 
two quarter-boats were left on the davits, whilst the main- 
chain and fore-chain boats were turned keel up on the 
skids or beams that cross in front of and behind the main- 
mast and foremast. They make a welcome shelter in 
bad weather, particularly so in these hot days when the 
hammocks # are slung beneath them, and the watch off duty 
hang sleeping there like bats from rafters. Then the 
anchors were brought inboard, and made fast on the 
focsle-head. The cables were stowed, and we stopped 
steaming, and set all sail, heading N.W. ; but the wind 
increasing, we soon had to take in all small sail. 
From the 9th to about the 29th it blew every sort of 
squall and gale known to meteorologists or seamen. My 
diary, I find, is one long wail at the wretched weather. 
So, instead of it, I shall give an extract from Mr. Adams' 
(our first mate) log fpr a few days. His log gets over the 
ground far quicker than mine, and besides has a certain 
stoical pithiness of expression that I feel mine lacks. 
September gt/i. — -Wind westerly ; making an offing from 
Irish coast. 
From 58.46 N. stopped steaming; set all sail 8 P.M., 
burst foretopsail and topgallant ; bent another topsail. 
12 P.M., wind increasing ; reefed topsail. 
ioth. — Noon, 58.35 N. 4. Furled jib and mainsail; car- 
ried away flying jibboom ; strong wind ; heavy showers. 
Noon, 2, strong wind ; very heavy sea. 4. Wore ship ; 
