Chapter IV. From the Kerguelen Isles to Prince Edward Island

           Neverdidavoyagebeginmoreprosperously,orapassengerstartinbetterspirits.TheinterioroftheHalbranecorrespondedwithitsexterior.Nothingcouldexceedtheperfectorder,theDutchcleanlinessofthevessel.Thecaptain’scabin,andthatofthelieutenant,oneontheport,theotheronthestarboardside,werefittedupwithanarrowberth,acupboardanythingbutcapacious,anarm-chair,afixedtable,alamphungfromtheceiling,variousnauticalinstruments,abarometer,athermometer,achronometer,andasextantinitsoakenbox.Oneofthetwoothercabinswaspreparedtoreceiveme.Itwaseightfeetinlength,fiveinbreadth.Iwasaccustomedtotheexigenciesofsealife,andcoulddowithitsnarrowproportions,alsowithitsfurniture—atable,acupboard,acane-bottomedarm-chair,awashing-standonanironpedestal,andaberthtowhichalessaccommodatingpassengerwoulddoubtlesshaveobjected.Thepassagewouldbeashortone,however,soItookpossessionofthatcabin,whichIwastooccupyforonlyfour,orattheworstfiveweeks,withentirecontent.

           TheeightmenwhocomposedthecrewwerenamedrespectivelyMartinHolt,sailing-master;Hardy,Rogers,Drap,Francis,Gratian,Burg,andStern—sailorsallbetweentwenty-fiveandthirty-fiveyearsold—allEnglishmen,welltrained,andremarkablywelldisciplinedbyahandofiron.