The horn of the Narwhal was long the object of a kind of superstitious respect. It was said to be efficacious in the cure of several distempers; and was prized as being of the very highest value. The Margraves of Bareuth possessed one which cost them 600,000 rix dollars; and the kings of Denmark have a most magnificent throne formed of these horns, which is esteemed more valuable than if composed of gold. Captain Scoresby (of the Resolution,) has a very fine bed made of the same materials. It is reckoned a great curiosity, and is extremely handsome. The horn is of a finer texture, and takes a better polish than that of the elephant.
11th, Got two fish. Several sail of Greenlandmen in company.
12th, Strong easterly breeze. Ran a considerable way to the westward.
13th and 14th, Gale increased, and we ran a considerable way farther to the westward. Cold very intense.
June 15th, Latitude, by observation, 78° 13´. Made fast to a large iceberg.
16th, Got a size fish. While we were made fast to this iceberg, some of the crew had put a piece of blubber to the fire, and, allured by the smell, a very large bear came and put his nose over the gunwale. One of the harpooners shot him; but a squall coming on, we did not bring the carcass on board.
From the 16th to the 21st, we caught four whales, of various sizes. The weather was now getting hazy, as it generally does at this season of the year, and the whales were become more difficult to catch.
22d, Spoke the Catharina Elizabeth, of Hanover, Captain Schultz, after being a considerable time separated from the rest of the Greenland ships. From her we learned that a French frigate, and some smaller vessels, were in the North. This intelligence determined us not to lessen our distance from Spitzbergen, but to shape our course to England by the Feroe Isles. This determination, however, had nearly sent us to a French port, for the Guerriere was taken of the Feroe Isles on the 19th July, two days after we passed them.
From the 22d to the 29th, the day on which we set sail for England, we took six whales, making in all twenty-four, of which fourteen were size fish.