Page:Twenty years before the mast - Charles Erskine, 1896.djvu/142

 the Antarctic Continent, all hands were called to "splice the mainbrace." Up to this time we had had only hot coffee.

January 30. On board the Porpoise. At four a ship was discovered ahead, and shortly after another,  both standing to the south. The brig hauled up nor’west, intending to speak them, being sure they were the Vincennes and the Peacock. Shortly after, seeing that they were strangers, Captain Ringold hoisted his colors. It was known that the English squadron under Sir James Ross was about to visit these seas, and he was preparing  to cheer the great English navigator, when the stranger  showed the French colors. One of the ships displayed a broad pennant. Captain Ringold concluded that they must be the French discovery ships under Captain  d’Urville. While closing with the strangers — for he desired to pass within hail under the flagship’s stern —  he saw to his surprise that they were making all sail. Without a moment’s delay Captain Ringold hauled down his colors and bore upon his course before the wind.

It is with regret that I mention the above occurrence, and it can but excite the surprise of all that such a cold  repulse should come from a French commander, and  that the vessels of two friendly powers should meet in  such an untraversed and dangerous quarter of the globe  and not even exchange the common civilities of life, and  should exhibit none of the kinder feelings that the situation would awaken, but refuse to allow any communication. It showed that the commander was devoid of all manly feeling and brotherly love, to commit such a breach of the courtesy due from one nation to another.