However, The [English] Captain Of The 'Saxon' Expressing A Great Desire To Visit These Northern Parts, And Displaying On This

Subject a sort of national vanity, besides promising an average speed of seven knots an hour, it was decided that

- At all events, that vessel should start alone with the 'Refine Hortense,' whose supply of coals it would be able to replenish, in the event - a doubtful one, it is true - of our making the coast of Jan Mayen's Island, and finding a good anchorage. The 'Reine Hortense' had - by the help of a supplementary load on deck - a supply of coals for eight days; and immediately on starting, the crew as well as the passengers, were to be put on a measured allowance of water.

A few hours before getting under way, the expedition was completed by the junction of a new companion, quite unexpected. We found in Reykjavik harbour a yacht belonging to Lord Dufferin. The Prince, seeing his great desire to visit the neighbourhood of Jan Mayen, offered to take his schooner in tow of the 'Reine Hortense.' It was a fortunate accident for a seeker of maritime adventures; and an hour afterwards, the proposition having been eagerly accepted, the Englishman was attached by two long cables to the stern of our corvette.

On the 7th of July, 1856, at two o'clock in the morning, after a ball given by Commander de Mas on board the 'Artemise,' - the 'Reine Hortense,' with the English schooner in tow, left Reykjavik harbour, directing her course along the west coast of Iceland, towards Onundarfiord, where we were to join the 'Saxon' which had left a few hours before us.

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