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It was built of logs, with their upper ends leaning together, in the form of a cone, and nearly circular at the base; the interstices were filled with grass, leaves, and earth, in which some grasses had taken root, and were growing. It is represented in the tail-piece.

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CHAPTER VII.

CONTENTS.

DEPARTURE OF PORPOISE WHALE SIIIP — - HEIGHT OF WAVES - KING GEORGE'S ISLAND-O'BRIEN'S AND ASPLAND'S ISLANDS-PALMER'S LAND-ADVENTURE ISLETS --GALE-SEA-GULL ORDERED TO RETURN-RETURN OF THE PORPOISE-ELEPHANT ISLAND-GOOD SUCCESS BAY-BOAT DETAINED-ATTEMPT TO RELIEVE-ACCIDENTLIEUTENANT HARTSTEIN-GALE-FURTHER ATTEMPT TO RELIEVE THE PARTYPORPOISE COMPELLED TO PUT TO SEA-CAPE ST. DIEGO-ANCHOR OFF IT-RETURN TO GOOD SUCCESS BAY-PARTY JOIN-THEIR TRANSACTIONS-LEAVE GOOD SUCCESS BAY NASSAU BAY. DARK NIGHT - FIND OURSELVES AMONG KELP ANCHORNATIVES-REACH ORANGE HARBOUR-ALL WELL-SEA-GULL-DECEPTION ISLAND— PENGUINS-SEA-LEOPARD-TEMPERATURE-VISIT TO CRATER-FORCE OF WINDCAPTAIN SMILEY-DEPARTURE-ARRIVAL AT ORANGE HARBOUR-SENT IN SEARCH OF LAUNCH -LOSS OF THAT BOAT - RETURN OF SEA-GULL AGAIN SAILS FOR WOLLASTON'S ISLAND-BAILY ISLAND-SEA-GULL HARBOUR-ARRIVAL OF FLYING.

FISH.

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CHAPTER VII.

SOUTHERN CRUISE.

1839.

On the 25th of February, having completed the arrangements for the southern cruise, and prepared instructions for the continuance of the duties of the Expedition in case of my being detained among the ice, the signal was ordered to be made for the vessels to get under way, when I joined the Porpoise. Very many of my crew were desirous of following me, and expressed regrets and disappointment that the Vincennes was not going south. All I could do, was to promise them enough of Antarctic cruising the next year, and I believe they are now all satisfied that I kept my word. About 7 A. M., we left the harbour, with a light breeze from the north, having the Sea-Gull, of which vessel Lieutenant Johnson was in charge, in company. On passing the other vessels of the squadron, we received three hearty cheers, which were duly returned.

Various causes conspired to render our short stay in Orange Harbour the turning point of the discipline of the cruise. I cannot but express my surprise, even at this distant day, that any officers embarked in this undertaking could have so far lost sight of their duty as to attempt to throw obstacles in the way of the prompt execution of the duties they owed to the country, and the service on which they were engaged, or would have allowed selfish feelings to predominate over those for the public good. Prompt and energetic action soon put an end to these small difficulties.

At the mouth of the harbour, Captain Hudson and the few officers who had accompanied us, took their leave. I must own at that moment I felt greatly depressed, for I was well aware that we had many, very many dangers to encounter before meeting again. But there is a feeling produced by the kind of service on which we were engaged, that gives a stout heart, braces it for meeting almost every emergency that may

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