18 
VOYAGE TO GREENLAND. 
we tacked about, and sailed to the southward. 
About eleven o’clock at night, I was surprised by 
the hitherto unusual appearance of the sun shining 
into the cabin windows. To one who, from his 
earliest remembrance had witnessed the ordinary 
division of day and night, as it occurs in our 
climate, this effect was novel and astonishingly 
interesting. 
By the continuation of the gale, the 
^ ‘ ship was still kept embayed in a deep 
bight of ice ; but the wind moderating, we sailed to 
the eastward, until streams of ice again set limits 
to our further advance ; but, on standing to the 
south-west, they were soon lost. Just as the steward 
came on deck, to announce that the cabin-supper 
was ready, I saw at some distance, a whale blowing: 
it is impossible to express my feelings on the occa- 
sion, or to describe the vehemence with which I 
shouted — a fish ! a fish ! ! The bustle of all the 
men coming on deck, and of the different crews 
jumping into their respective boats, ready for the 
pursuit, was a scene of most animating activity. 
The spectioneers (first harpooner) boat was destined 
for the service, and accordingly lowered. The 
wind began to increase immediately after, and drift- 
ing snow came with a severity that made it very 
painful to the eyes*, and often obscured the sight 
* From the cutting effects of the snow, 1 was induced to examine 
it through a powerful magnifying glass, and found it to he formed 
of extremely minute pieces of ice, angularly pointed at their ends, 
and of prismatic form. 
