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146 As the boat approached, a curious colloquy ensued. The officer in command called out to ask if they had lost their ship.

"We have," replied Ross. "What is your vessel's name?"

The reply was, "The 'Isabella,' whaler, of Hull, once commanded by Captain Ross."

Ross, now rising in his boat, called out the news that he was the very man in question, and his men all that remained of the crew of the "Victory."

"That is impossible," replied the strange officer. "Ross has been dead these two years."

But Ross, naturally disinclined to admit any one to be a better authority on this point than himself, assured his interrogator that the story was true.

A hearty congratulation followed in seamanlike style, when, after a few inquiries, the stranger informed them that the "Isabella"—which was indeed by a singular coincidence the very vessel of which Ross had been captain many years before—was commanded by Captain Humphreys; after which he immediately set off in his boat to communicate his information on board, repeating that the explorers had long been given up as lost, not by them alone but by all England. Captain Ross gives an amusing description of the appearance of himself and his party as they presented themselves to their deliverer. "Though we had not been supported by our names and characters," he says, "we should not the less have claimed from charity, the attentions that we received, for never was seen a more miserable looking set of wretches; while, that we were but a repulsive-looking people, none of us could doubt. If, to be poor,