June 
18th, 19th 
Sound, Spitzbergen, owing to the Norwegian Government 
forbidding whaling off her coasts. An old fence, however, re¬ 
mains as memento of the halcyon days. 
A heavy gale making it unwise to put to sea, we dropped 
anchor at Skaaro, remaining until the 19th. 
Nor did time hang heavy. A fine mess of cod was caught 
from the boat. Learmonth, Giaever and I went ashore 
after eagle. We saw six—one near enough for trying a long- 
range shot at, but without success. 
The ladies and Carl attempted tramping the island; but 
the walking was bad, and the ground either rocky or swampy, 
as a result of snow, recently melted. 
On the higher peaks we could see snow and ice lingering 
also. We were already growing accustomed to the cold, and 
thought nothing of 43 0 . 
It was deemed inadvisable to attempt Greenland before 
July. A reindeer hunt could occupy our time the while, and 
this we resolved on, for, if nothing more, it would afford us 
fresh meat far more cheaply than we could bring this from 
Tromsoe. 
Heavy gales the morning of the 18th made it squallier 
than ever. The Doctor and Carl trolled an hour for sei, 
getting fourteen; combined weight, 103^ pounds. That 
afternoon Learmonth and I tried our luck at the same, he 
with a rather heavy salmon trolling-rod, and I with an eight- 
ounce grisle. 
We found the sei a gamey fellow, fighting as salmon 
might, but without breaking water. 
The heavier rod is the better with him, bringing the fish 
to gaff in five or seven minutes, while the smaller rod re¬ 
ceives too great a strain and often fails to land the fish be¬ 
fore fifteen or twenty minutes’ play. A medium-weight 
salmon-tackle is recommended for this sport. 
The weather improving that night, at two the next morn¬ 
ing we set sail. Ahead, the Rock of Fuglo rose from the sea, 
its outlines sharp-cut by the northern sun. Sea fowl filled 
the air, rising from thousands of nests on Fuglo immediately 
on the steamer’s whistling. 
By and by we were on the open sea, and actually off! 
Fair winds allowed some use of sail, though betimes the ship 
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