1852.] CAPTURE A WALRUS. 129 



September 26. This day was calm and serene, but 

 the sun's bright rays had little charm for us. I strolled 

 to the eastern point, and found the ice strong enough 

 to bear three men, who walked across to the southern 

 island. But on their return, their report proved but a 

 damper to our hopes : the channel between it and the 

 main was " open water." The evening was beautifully 

 clear and serene, but the wind again drew round to east, 

 and the tempera tiire rose to 13, sure indication of fur- 

 ther bad weather. About sunset I shot a walrus, which 

 remained on the floe-piece probably mortally wounded, 

 but we were unable to reach it. At dark, about eight, 

 and again at nine, rockets were sent up, to indicate to 

 the ship our position and want of assistance. From the 

 hill-summit I thought I could see Mount Beaufort, or 

 the land immediately behind her; but our hopes were 

 vain our eyes were strained to no purpose no reply ! 

 Once I was mistaken by the sudden unveiling of Venus, 

 just at the spot where I expected to discover the signal 

 or burst of the rocket. 



Early on Monday, the 27th, the wind increased, with 

 snow, sleet, etc. ; ice breaking up, and sweeping past us. 

 The shout of " A walrus close to, and drifting in-shore," 

 caused no little excitement, particularly amongst my 

 own energetic men. Bond, the ice-quartermaster, aided 

 by another, put off on a piece of loose ice, with a line 

 fast to the shore, and succeeded in hooking it with 

 a boat-hook, by which means he drew it to the shore, 

 where it was soon secured. No sooner was this done 

 than some few more oozed out of their bags. But this 

 did not suit. " All hands secure walrus !" brought each 



VOL. I. K 



