Hudson Bay | Page 5

upon the sea which caused it to look like ink. Not a breath of wind
swelled the sails, which the men were actively engaged in taking in. Far
away on our weather-quarter the clouds were thicker and darker; and
just where they met the sea there was seen a bright streak of white,
which rapidly grew broader and brighter, until we could perceive that it
was the sea lashed into a seething foam by the gale which was
sweeping over it.
"Mind your helm!" shouted the captain.
"Ay, ay, sir!" sang out the man at the wheel. And in another moment
the squall burst upon us with all its fury, laying the huge vessel over on
its side as if it had been a feather on the wave, and causing her to fly
through the black water like a dolphin.
In a few minutes the first violence of the squall passed away, and was
succeeded by a steady breeze, which bore us merrily along over the
swelling billows.
"A stiff one, that," said the captain, turning to the doctor, who, with
imperturbable nonchalance, was standing near him, holding on to a
stanchion with one hand, while the other reposed in his breeches
pocket.
"I hope it will last," replied the doctor. "If it does, we'll not be long of
reaching the blue water you long so much for."
Young Wiseacre, who during the squall had been clutching the
weather-shrouds with the tenacity of a drowning man, opened his eyes
very wide on hearing this, to him, insane wish, and said to me in an
undertone, "I say, do you think the doctor is quite right in his mind?"
"I have no doubt of it," replied I. "Why do you ask?"
"Because I heard him say to the captain he wished that this would last."
"Is that all?" said I, while a very vile spirit of vanity took possession of

me, inducing me to speak in a tone which indicated a tranquillity of
mind that I certainly did not enjoy. "Oh, this is nothing at all! I see
you've never been on salt water before. Just wait a bit, old fellow!" And
having given utterance to this somewhat dark and mysterious
expression, I staggered across the deck, and amused myself in watching
the thick volumes of spray that flew at every plunge from the sides of
the bounding vessel.
The doctor's wish was granted. The breeze continued steady and strong,
sending us through the Pentland Firth in grand style, and carrying us in
a short time to the island of Lewis, where we hove-to for a pilot. After a
little signalising we obtained one, who steered our good ship in safety
through the narrow entrance to the bay of Stornoway into whose quiet
waters we finally dropped our anchor.
CHAPTER TWO.
STORNOWAY--THE BALL--AT SEA--GO OUT TO TEA ON THE
ATLANTIC--AMONG THE ICE--SIGHTING LAND--A SLEEPY
SIGHT--YORK FACTORY AND BACHELORS' HALL.
The harbour of Stornoway is surrounded by high hills, except at the
entrance, where a passage--not more, I should think, than three hundred
yards wide--admits vessels of any tonnage into its sheltering bosom.
Stornoway, a pretty, modest-looking town, apparently pleased with its
lot, and contented to be far away from the busy and bustling world, lies
snugly at the bottom of the bay. Here we remained upwards of a week,
engaging men for the wild Nor'-West, and cultivating the acquaintance
of the people, who were extremely kind and very hospitable.
Occasionally Wiseacre and I amused ourselves with fishing excursions
to the middle of the bay in small boats; in which excursions we were
usually accompanied by two or three very ragged little boys from the
town. Our sport was generally good, and rendered extremely interesting
by our uncertainty as to which of the monsters of the deep would first
attack our hooks. Rock-codlings and flounders appeared the most
voracious, and occasionally a skate or long-legged crab came
struggling to the surface.

Just before leaving this peaceful little spot, our captain gave a grand
ball on board, to which were invited the elite of Stornoway. Great
preparations were made for the occasion. The quarter-deck was well
washed and scrubbed; an awning was spread over it, which formed a
capital ceiling; and representatives of almost every flag that waves
formed the walls of the large and airy apartment. Oil lamps, placed
upon the skylights, companion, and capstan, shed a mellow light upon
the scene, the romantic effect of which was greatly heightened by a few
flickering rays of the moon, which shot through various openings in the
drapery, and disported playfully upon the deck. At an early and very
unfashionable hour on the evening of the appointed night the guests
arrived in detachments; and while the gentlemen scrambled up the side
of the vessel, the ladies,