ROUTINE OF DAILY LIFE. 45 Tuesday 25th. At ten P. M., however, it moderated, and for the next twenty-four hours we had light winds and finer weather from the same quarter; but this was still against us, and we could do but little in the way of getting on. Our daily life was this: At half-past six I used to turn out; and, warm or cold, wet or dry, take an immediate ablution in the pure and natural element. For half an hour I would then walk on deck, fair or foul; and, a little before eight, examine the men's forecastle; see to their condition, and whether any of them were sick; and if so, give them medicine. At eight bells, I would then take the chronometrical time for Captain Forsyth, while he observed the altitude of the sun, to get our longitude. Latterly I used, by his desire, to take a set of sights also myself, taking the time from a common watch, and comparing it afterwards with the chronometer. The chronometers were then wound up by me, and the thermometer, barometer, &c., registered. At eight o'clock the two mates went to breakfast; the captain and I getting ours soon after them. During the forenoon I had to attend to the stores, provisions, &c.; write my accounts, journals, and other papers; and at noon worked up the ship's reckoning, the observations, and write the ship's log, ex amining our present position and future course. All this was done under Commander Forsyth's superintendence and I am truly indebted to him for the opportunities he afforded me for brushing up the old knowledge I had on the subject. The mates had their dinner at noon: the captain and I at three P. M.; after which, a stroll for an hour or so on deck was taken by both of us. Tea came round at six, and at eight P. M. I used to try the temperature of the air on deck, and of the sea. After that, we would read together in the stern cabin. At ten, we would take our hot grog; and, generally about eleven, when free from rough weather or the neighbourhood of ice, turn in for the night. Often, however, the captain and I have been on deck for hours; care and anxiety upon his mind; and the same, very naturally, though in a smaller degree, upon mine. Very little candle was required below at night, as there was seldom more than an hour or two's darkness during any part of our voyage, until we were returning. It was not long after this date, moreover, that we had continued daylight through the whole twenty-four hours. The men had their amusements and regular occupations. Divided into the usual watches, there was plenty of them at all times to handle the ship easily; and it was very rare that all hands, unless when ROUTINE OF DAILY LIFE. 47 among ice, and then not very often, were required on deck at the same time. Consequently, they had their entire portion of rest almost unbroken; and the regular life they led, the good and liberal supply of food furnished them, and their own contented and cheerful minds, produced the natural and certain results to be looked for. They increased in health and appearance; and instead of dwindling away in the cold, became more robust and florid. Every Saturday evening (oftener when necessary, or when heavy labour was performed) a glass of grog was given them: the fiddle was brought on deck, if weather permitted, the merry dance and song went round, wives and sweethearts were drunk with honest warmth of feeling; and never was there a happier set of fellows than they seemed. Pleased with their vessel and those who commanded them, satisfied with what they received, ardent in the cause in which they had embarked, and all more or less humbly, and in a manly way, depending upon their God, they presented precisely the sort of crew that the most enthusiastic and daring man would wish to have with bim on any sort of enterprize. My own feelings at this time were light and buoyant, though earnestly wishing we could get on somewhat faster. I could say in truth: "My bark is on the waters, my home is on the sea; On the wild blue tide, And merrily, merrily be." And often have I hummed this bit of doggrel rhyme, when the gale has been blowing highest. There was justice in the captain's remark, that I "was never so happy as in a gale of wind," to which I always added, "if it is fair, Sir, not without." I wanted to get to our destination, and to commence our actual labours; and anything and everything that would help us thither was good to me. CHAP. V. SUCCESSION OF FOUL WINDS AND HEAVY GALES.-HOVE TO. THE FIRST ICEBERG.-ROUNDING CAPE FAREWELL. -DRIFT-WOOD.-MAGNIFICENT MOUNTAIN SCENERY. Tuesday 25th.—THIS day, as I have observed, brought us no improvement as regarded our progress. The weather was finer, but the winds were light and against us. But, as it afterwards appeared, this was but a lull in the series of gales we had lately had and were still to have: for during the next night (Wednesday 26th) it began to blow again with great fury from the westward, accompanied by a heavy sea, and greater cold than we had yet experienced. In vain the little Albert tried to stem it, plunging and driving and tossing the crest of each fierce wave over her bows as if in proud contempt: it would not do. Struggling and staggering under the tremendous seas that rolled towards her, she evidently needed relief; and accordingly the small portion of canvass that remained upon her was still further lessened for the purpose, and she was then hove to. Lightly did she then E |