354 VISIT OF COMMANDER PULLEN. \July, 



tween it and the island ; possibly it has less beneath the 

 ice. 



On the 25th the ice opened between us and the spit 

 island -. steam was called in aid, and about five P.M. we 

 were again advancing to the eastward, but the tide evi- 

 dently strong against us. At 11.30 we arrived at the end 

 of the lead ; made fast until eight next morning, when 

 we again got free, and, by shaving Cape Becher in ele- 

 ven fathoms, passed that important point. Mr. Herbert 

 (Mate) had been despatched to the point to seek for 

 letters, and to bring away those left by Mr. Cheyne in 

 May last, if they should still be found. Our attention 

 was, of course, intently fixed on the pile ; and nearly at 

 the moment that we discovered, by the aid of our glasses, 

 that the kegs containing the letters had not been taken, 

 " two boats were reported coming from Dundas Island." 

 One was certain, and Commander Pullen shortly after 

 stood on our quarterdeck, little less astonished than our- 

 selves at such a meeting ; he had come for these letters ! 

 I was right glad to see him, for I had much to inquire 

 about and much to learn. Definitive instructions for 

 himself, for ' Intrepid,' and the whole Squadron, had to 

 be made out, and but short time in which it could be 

 completed. I thought of detaining, and carrying him 

 back in the ship. Fortunately for all concerned, he had 

 left his men and depot at Cape Phillips, and must re- 

 turn, thus securing the opportunity of forwarding our 

 hurried and unopened former despatches. We were de- 

 tained just beyond Cape Majendie : there we hung on 

 by the floe until morning, when I took leave of him, in- 

 structing him to place a cylinder containing a record of 



