AN ARCTIC MIDNIGHT. 75 the sun in his course, and enjoying the holy tranquillity that reigned around. It was now the commencement of another Sabbath morn; Sunday 14th. All nature appeared calmed, and buried in a gentle sleep; nor man nor beast seemed to possess anything of life. Every one on board except myself,- for the helmsman listlessly reclined at his post, and the officer of the watch was dozing over the ship's side, had laid themselves down to rest below or to slumber on deck ready for a call if wanted; and I, therefore, remained alone to enjoy that heavenly and most splendid scene; to commune with myself, and to thank Him who, but yesterday, was raging in the storm, and now appeared to smile softly in so sweet a midnight calm. To the S. E. of us rose the bold and lofty mountains of Disco, and the land about Merchant's Bay in the Waygat; nearer, was Hare Island; and further on, beyond it, could be faintly seen the dark coast in the neighbourhood of Cape Cranstown. Icebergs, innumerable, lay in a state of the greatest repose, and added by their singular shapes and various sizes to the beauty of the entire picture. After I had gloated myself with the enjoyment of so exquisite a scene, I went below to my cabin, and entered the notes in my Diary which I am now transcribing. I then, at one A. M., also retired to rest. WHEN I again went on deck, at seven, I found we had a very thick fog, and light airs from the eastward. At half-past ten all hands were mustered, and divine service performed on deck, so mild was the weather, or, perhaps, so well had we now become accustomed to the temperature. Every man was in the enjoyment of excellent health and spirits; and, hitherto, all things had gone on well. In the afternoon it was fine and calm. At four, I was sent in charge of the gutta percha boat to some icebergs, to get a fresh supply of water. It was the first time we had tried this boat; and we found her to pull as light as we could wish, promising to answer admirably. The whole of us scrambled on to the top of the lowest and most level berg, but which, however, was rugged and irregular enough to cause WATERING FROM AN ICEBERG. 77 us to take care that we did not get tripped, and come down by the run. After returning from one iceberg, we pulled away to a second at some further distance off. We found it to be in a state of decay; and, even while in its vicinity, heard several reports, which warned us not to keep stationary too near it, as it was evidently not far from bursting. Several fragments had already broken away from it, and innumerable small pieces were scattered about in every direction around. As we found no very clear stream of running water on the berg, we took some of the best of these fragments (to be afterwards melted), into the boat, filling her pretty deep. At eight P. M., Four Island Point was to the S.E., and Black Hook to the N. To the eastward, a continuity of land was also clearly seen. Monday 15th.—All this day we had light winds and calms, with fine weather, a warm air, and smooth water. Stores and provisions sufficient for ten weeks' consumption were got up from the main hold, and placed in the store-room abaft. As the superintend ence of this and the distribution of them was one of my peculiar duties, it necessarily required much personal labour on my part. There is an old saying, and I am sure a very just one, to the effect, that if you want a thing done well, you had better do it your self; and I have, - especially on board the "Prince Albert," and more particularly in my own cabin, invariably carried out the maxim when I could. Thus my day's work on this date was by no means light, and by the evening I had had nearly enough. At six P. M. the winter clothing, of which a supply had been sent on board for the men, was served out to such of them as required any. Tobacco was, also, given them in like manner. At quarter-past ten we observed two vessels (a barque and a brig) in sight to the N.W., both of them apparently in company on a wind, and standing to the westward. As these were the first strangers we had seen since leaving home, they became of increased interest to us, and more especially now, when we felt anxious to ascertain about the ice. Hitherto we had known nothing but what we ourselves had found; now, however, there was a probability of our gleaning some intelligence; for the strangers were instantly set down by the men as whalers, returning to the southward; which they actually proved to be. Captain Forsyth determined to communicate with them, and, ordering a stout crew into the boat, started away immediately, I accompanying him. We had a long pull of it, in consequence of the strangers not at first perceiving us, but we ultimately got alongside of the barque at half-past twelve. To our delight and 66 79 surprise, we found her to be the "Truelove," Mr. Parker, of Hull; and her consort was the "Anna," Mr. Wells, of Hull; both bound to the south edge of the ice, to round it in search of whales on the west land. We were received in the most hearty and hospitable manner by Captain Parker, who presented the tout ensemble of a bluff and honest-hearted sailor. Frank and lively, he seemed not to know how to make enough of us, or to give us sufficient pleasure, in our visit to him. Though it was past midnight, yet all sorts of nautical refreshments were laid before us: bottled beer, sherry, ham, and some excellent cheese, &c. Hour after hour passed away in pleasing and animated conversation, while the vessels were edging away towards the "Prince Albert." Captain Wells had also joined us. Captain Parker was, personally, unknown to me before; yet, both himself and ship were familiar acquaintances, owing to the frequent mention of them in the various parliamentary papers, &c., relating to the Arctic Seas. It was, therefore, with much satisfaction that I was enabled to shake hands with so daring a whaler, and that, too, on board his own vessel. But business was not forgotten, nor the object of our communicating with him. We gathered from him several particulars relating to the state of Though |