330 
A VOYAGE TO 8PITZBERGEN. 
welcome wind swells into a lusty gale, and we skim 
along at a pace that is something to feel, our keel 
ploughs through the surging waves, and the sea 
grows heavy with tumbling waves. Fast as we 
go the hoarse wind drives the rushing water to 
madness, and we fly before the wild confusion that 
hurries up from the north. About our bows, the 
white crests of foam leap up like hounds at the 
throat of a hard pressed deer. At our stem the great 
billows tumble in their haste to engulf us, in their 
frenzied desire to swamp us altogether. Higher and 
higher the wild waves rise around us—the schooner is 
built for such a struggle. Her great breadth of beam 
abaft helps her to rise to the sea, and she spins along 
with the ease of a floating sea-bird; such a wind is 
the delight of the seaman, secure in the staunch¬ 
ness of his ship. He watches every motion of his 
craft as she glides through the troubled waters. Ho 
sea-sickness now interferes with the true enjoyment 
of the crew: they have long since forgotten the 
experience they had of the rough seas to the north of 
Lerwick on our outward course, and they go about 
their various occupations with unmistakable enjoyment. 
On the 21st September we sighted the Shetlands once 
more ; for three days we had been unable to take the 
necessary sights for finding our position, and we were 
