376 GREENLAND VOYAGE. 
rection of all others the most dangerous. A fatal 
wave, however, at length struck the quarter *, 
with tremendous violence, and throwing up a 
vast weight of water carried along with it, in its 
passage across the deck, one of our harpooners, or 
principal officers (who, along with several others, 
was employed on the weather-rail endeavouring to 
secure one of the boats hanging over the side) 
quite over the heads of his companions, and swept 
him overboard! Most of the crew being under 
water at the same time, his loss was not known 
until he was discovered just passing under the 
ship’s stern, but out of reach, and lying apparent¬ 
ly insensible upon the wave. He was only seen 
for a few seconds, and then disappeared for ever. 
For some minutes, it was not known who the 
sufferer was. Every one was greatly distressed ; 
and each, in his anxious exclamations, revealed 
his fears for his friend. “ It is Shields Jack,” 
cries one. “ No,” replies a voice of feeling selfcon- 
gratulation, “ I am here.”—“ It is Jack O’Neill,” 
exclaims another;—“ Aye, poor fellow,—it is Jack 
O’Neill.” Butadripping stupor-struck sailor, cling¬ 
ing by the weather-raill, comes aft at the moment, 
and replies, “ No, I am here.” After a pause of 
* The side of the ship towards the stem. 
