LAST VOYAGE OF CAPT. ROSS. 
683 
obedience he owed so much: the question thence arises, to 
quote his own words again, whether “ he ought not to have 
been ashamed of himself,” in deserting those very men, when 
he was placed in a situation, where he no longer stood in need 
of their services? 
In relating the subsequent parts of this memorable voyage, we 
have now only to refer to those circumstances, which immediately 
concern Capt. Ross, in regard to the treatment of his men, and 
in which some charges will be brought forward, which, if not 
publicly and authentically refuted, will cling to him for ever, 
as a black spot upon his character. The opportunity is afforded 
him of rebutting the charges, which are brought against him; 
and considering the rank, which he holds in society, as a gen¬ 
tleman, and an officer in the noblest service of the world, 
we look forward with great anxiety to his refutation, which 
will of course cover those, who have so wantonly and maliciously 
maligned his character, with the scorn and reprobation of every 
true lover of genuine merit. 
According to our informant, it was fortunate for the crew, 
that some of them were still possessed of a little money, or other¬ 
wise they would not have had a fresh mess so soon as they 
had : for during the whole of the fortnight previously to their 
arrival at Stromness, they had neither tea, nor cocoa, nor sugar. 
The steward having a sovereign in his possession, divided it 
between Buck, Curtis, and Park, giving to each five shillings, 
and reserving five shillings for himself; with this money they 
laid in a stock of tea, sugar, and potatos, to carry them to 
Hull; but Capt. Ross gave them not a farthing, nor, to use 
their own term, not so much as a fresh herring to help them on 
their way homewards. 
We consider ourselves bound to notice an unpleasant circum¬ 
stance, which happened on board the Isabella, between Capt. 
Humphreys and the officers of the Victory, which in the end 
nearly brought the parties into personal conflict, and Capt. 
Humphreys threatened to turn every man belonging to the 
Victory, out of the ship, on account of some misdemeanour, 
which one or all of the officers of the Victory had committed. 
