This  was  the  first  time  anyone  had  crossed  the  island,
and  several  bets  were  taken  whether  we  should  succeed  or
not ;  but  we  found  it  a  most  difficult  task,  as  it  was  pre-
cipitous and  the  rocks  much  broken  and  rotten,  making  it
dangerous  to  climb,  as  there  was  no  firm  footing.  When
half  way  to  the  top,  we  had  to  take  off  our  boots  to  get
safer  foot-hold.  When  we  reached  the  summit,  the  boats
below  looked  like  midges.  A  gun  was  fired  to  let  them
know  we  were  safe.  The  descent  on  the  opposite  side  was
sloping,  and  easily  accomplished.  When  we  sighted  the
ship,  we  again  fired  to  attract  their  attention.  A  boat  came
for  us,  and  the  men  expected  we  had  got  a  whale  at  the
outside,  but  of  course  they  were  much  disappointed.
I  reported  our  accident  to  the  master,  who  at  once
despatched  us  with  another  boat  and  materials  for  bringing
back  the  broken  one.  It  was  late  in  the  evening  when  we
returned  to  the  ship,  thoroughly  tired.  No  water  was  seen
to  the  northward  from  the  top  of  the  mountain.  This
caused  us  to  be  on  the  alert  in  case  we  might  stay  too
long,  trusting  to  our  paltry  steam  power.
At  daybreak,  when  all  hands  were  called,  the  harbour
was  full  of  ice.  It  was  not  packed  very  tightly,  and  a  boat


igo  OLD  WHALING  DAYS.
could  manage  to  reeve  among  the  pieces,  so  we  manned
them,  but  had  not  gone  more  than  half  a  mile  when  the
signal  was  given  to  return  and  prepare  to  get  under  weigh.
