VOYAGE TO GREENLAND. 
8-5 
below the surface ; the rapidity of its movements 
kept our boat’s crew in the utmost exertion, for up- 
wards of two miles : but, it had most probably been 
frightened by some other boat, for, without rising, 
or allowing us to see it, it swam to a good retreat 
under a floe of ice. At twelve o’clock, the boats 
were recalled by a signal ; when it was admitted 
that, had they been provided with gun-harpoons, 
at least four or five fish would have been captured, 
as the number of whales that had been seen was un- 
usually great. Captain Scoresby, from the mast- 
head, counted thirty-two different fish. 
Scarcely had I been an hour in bed, 
when I heard the uproar usual on striking 
a whale ; I arose, and soon saw it killed, and a 
sucker brought on board. It would be wise, if the 
fishers agreed among themselves, not to take whales 
of so small a size, as, if not altogether unprofitable, 
they scarcely pay the incidental expenses ; but, 
such general forbearance would probably never be 
consented to, since most masters of ships pride 
themselves on the number of fish which they take 
without reference to their size. Two whales were 
afterwards* seen, and boats despatched after them, 
but a thick fall of snow came on, and prevented 
our watching their movements. Captain Scoresby, 
from the mast-head,^ informed me that one of the 
largest walruses he had ever seen, was upon a piece 
of ice not far from the ship; a boat was instantly 
lowered for me, and, loading my gun with ball, we 
went in pursuit ; but unfortunately it heard us ap- 
