while thus to dispose of it and quickly realize their hard earnings.
So far, our last excursion had been entirely satisfactory.We had not suffered any loss or endured any hardship; and if only such comfortable proceedings were more frequent, the Solander ground would not have any terrors for us at least.But one afternoon there crept in around the eastern horn of the harbour three forlorn and half-dismantled vessels, whose weather-worn crews looked wistfully at us engaged in clearing up decks and putting away gear upon the finishing of our trying-out.Poor fellows! they had seen rough times since that unforgettable evening when we parted from them at the other end of the island, and watched them slowly fade into the night.Two of them were so badly damaged that no further fishing was possible for them until they had undergone a thorough refit, such as they could not manage there.One was leaking badly, the tremendous strain put upon her hull in the vain attempt to hold on to the two whales she had during the gale having racked her almost all to pieces.
The third one was still capable of taking the ground again, with sundry repairs such as could be effected by her crew.But the general feeling among all three crews was that there was more loss than gain to be expected here, in spite of the multitude of whales visiting the place.
As if to fill up their cup, in came the old CHANCE again, this time with a whale on each side.Captain Gilroy was on the house aft, his chubby red face in a ruddy glow of delight, and his crew exuberant.When he passed the American ships, as he was bound to do very closely, the sight of their scowling faces seemed to afford him the most exquisite amusement, and he laughed loud and long.His crew, on the impulse of the moment, sprang to the rail and cheered with might and main.No one could gainsay that they had good reason, but I really feared for a time that we should have "ructions," As Paddy said, it was not wise or dignified for those officers to be so angry with him on account of his success, which he frankly owned was due almost entirely to the local knowledge he possessed, gained in many years' study of the immediate neighbourhood.He declared that, as far as the technical duties of whale-fishing went, all the Americans could beat him hollow; but they ought to realize that something else was needed here which no man could hope to have unless he were content to remain on the coast altogether.With which words of wisdom our skipper cordially agreed, bearing in mind his own exploits in the bygone time around those rugged shores.
The strong breeze which brought Paddy and his whales home died down that night, enabling us to start for the grounds again--a concession gratefully received, for not the least of the hindrances felt there was the liability to be "wind-bound" for a long time, while fine weather was prevailing at the fishing grounds.
