436 
LAST VOYAGE OF CAPT. ROSS. 
Ross, when they were enjoying’ themselves over the roasted 
carcasses of the birds, that ought to have been regularly entered 
in the book of the cabin : and perhaps they were eaten with 
greater relish, because an interdiction was attached to them. 
Nor were the tricks unfrequent, that were passed upon the cap¬ 
tain, as he sat in judgement over the contents of the shooting 
bags: for, if it were known, that he wanted a specimen of a par¬ 
ticular bird, and they had been so fortunate as to shoot one, the 
most especial care was taken, before it was exhibited, to muti¬ 
late it to such a degree, that it could never be made use of as a 
specimen : if, on the other hand, any kind of bird was killed, of 
which he had two or three specimens, it was laid before him, with 
all becoming gravity and submission; and having despoiled it of 
some important member, it was as gravely, but not quite so sub¬ 
missively, returned to the person, who shot it. In fact, in this, as 
well as in some other instances, it was the study of the crew, 
in what manner they could over-reach their captain: at the 
same time, that he was congratulating himself, that no man was 
less imposed upon than himself; and when he surveyed his spe¬ 
cimens in his cabinet of curiosities, he chuckled at the thought, 
that, from the strictness of the orders, which he had issued, he 
•was the only person, who had a specimen of a King and Queen 
Duck ; when, at the same time, there were two of the crew, 
who were in possession of a far better specimen than himself. 
On the 6th, a party were despatched from the ship, with some 
provisions for Capt. Ross ; and having deposited them at an ap¬ 
pointed place, they returned, bringing with them a gull and a 
plover, which were cooked for the evening’s repast, without 
having been subject to an examination in the cabin, respecting 
their fitness to be received into the cabinet of curiosities. 
Capt. Ross returned on the 7th, having been at Nichilli, 
without having made any important addition to his previous 
knowledge of the geographical situation of the country, or 
obtained any information, which could be of use to him as a 
guide to his future operations. Capt. Ross was, however, never 
considered to be a communicative character, for, in many 
instances, although he and his nephew were engaged in the 
