334 
A VOYAGE TO BPITZBERGEN. 
the great consternation of our cook. This commotion 
is too much; so there is nothing for us now but to 
heave to, and put the ship to rights. Once again she 
rides upon the waves like a duck, and the angry sea 
roaring in the gale throws its spray in violent wrath 
against the little vessel; but she has recovered her self- 
possession wonderfully, and as she rises to the waves 
once more, shivering no doubt from stem to stern, as 
she comes up out of the trough of the sea, her little 
bows seem to the hardy sailors to swell with proud and 
defiant indignation, as she mounts over the angry 
waters. Well done! they cry, in exultant tones, as 
they watch every movement of the craft, now once 
more plunging madly forward. Not a drop of water 
comes on board, as she floats supremely over the over¬ 
whelming masses of water surging heavily around us. 
In the far distance we see a goodly number of ships 
anchored under the lee of the land, and the Humber is 
well lined with weather-bound vessels, as we beat up 
the harbour in the afternoon; well pleased, indeed, are 
we to escape at last out of the turmoil of the sea, 
where we have been so long contending. 
We now sail along with a garland hanging from the 
mast-head, worn in true old whaler fashion. 
Now a bag is produced on board, into which we 
drop our sixpences for the boys of the relations of our 
