Page:A Voyage of Discovery and Research in the Southern and Antarctic Regions Vol 2.djvu/361



the morning of the 17th of December we sailed from Port Louis, upon our third visit to the antarctic regions, selecting the meridian of 55° W., where I was in expectation of meeting with a continuation of Louis Philippe's Land, and hoped, by following the coast line to the south-eastward, keeping between the land and pack, to combine the survey of its shores with the attainment of a high latitude; but, determined, in the event of meeting with any insuperable obstruction, to relinquish our attempt in that quarter, and endeavour to follow the track of Weddell, by which he reached the latitude of 74° 15′ S., three degrees further than any preceding navigator, where we had every reason, from his account, to expect we should find a clear sea, and considerably extend the limits of his daring researches.

By noon we were fairly at sea again, the Seal rocks bearing N. 69° W., distant four miles; and, favoured by a smart breeze from the westward, we soon lost sight of the land—not one individual in either ship, I believe, feeling the smallest regret on leaving the Falkland Islands; every one rather rejoicing in the prospect before us, of again resuming the more important business of our voyage. Steering to the S. by E. in order to pass