108 
VOYAGE TO GREENLAND. 
of the absence of the rest, and wait the probable re- 
appearance of the fish. This may be called a ruse 
depecherie, and, as I understand, often succeeds. In 
the present instance, however, it failed, as we liked 
our stations too well to quit them ; though the 
whale did not shew itself again. The wary fisher- 
men who thus endeavoured to outwit us, belonged 
to two vessels from Scotland ; and although disap- 
pointed in their project, they kept a boat near to 
ours, ready for a start, and one came in front of us, 
which certainly was unfair, and would tend to alarm 
a fish, and prevent our success. I intimated my 
hope, that they would not keep between the fish 
and our boat, as I had upon the boat’s bow a one- 
pounder loaded with a shell, which I should as- 
suredly throw at the fish. The hint was taken, and 
the wily Caledonians rowed off. 
Our boat having been recalled at twelve 
June 24. njgtit and hoisted up, previous 
to the commencement of the day, I regretted to see 
that the same observance of the Sabbath was not 
attended to by the other ships in company, as they 
kept their boats ready for service all the day. Our 
captain very properly ordered his ship away, that 
the crew might not witness the conduct of those 
who did not reverence the Sabbath, and lest their 
example should disturb that orderly deportment 
which was invariably observed on board this ship 
on Sunday. 
The Baffin having been withdrawn from 
June 25. fishing station to the farther part of 
the basin, the wind changing to the north, set the 
