Finished coaling ship this morning.

At about 11 A.M.a couple of whale-boats from two vessels in the offing pulled into the harbour; went on board our prize, and thence to the shore.

Although the two masters were told that we were the Iroquois, they seemed at once to have comprehended the true state of the case, and to make haste to put themselves out of harm's way.

We were an hour and more getting up steam and weighing our anchor for the chase; and if in the meantime these whaling captains had pulled out to their ships, and run into shore so as to get within the league, they might have saved them.

We gave chase, and came up with both of them on the south side of the island, about half-past 3 P.M., and captured them--both of them being without the league.