128 GALE AND DISRUPTION OF ICE. [September, 



spatched to seek him, and luckily finding him at our 

 opposite point, delivered rny instructions to rejoin rne 

 with all despatch. This indeed was imperative, as he 

 was on the most exposed part of the island, and was 

 but too glad to reach our more sheltered position. They 

 encamped beside us near noon. 



The result of this gale, with temperature increasing, 

 was obvious. The ice gradually broke up, and drifted 

 away piece by piece ; and " short commons," if not 

 worse, was to me apparent. I did not hesitate on petty 

 measures, but instantly ordered the reduction to half al- 

 lowance, and our attention was further directed to the 

 best mode of relief. My own plans had been already 

 formed ; I therefore merely dropped the hint that I in- 

 tended to build a boat, leaving any brighter intellect 

 to " furnish plans and estimates." 



Unless calm prevailed at least for three days, aided by 

 low temperatures, we had no hope of escape, even to the 

 mainland ! It is true that the entire ice had not yet 

 broken up, but it would not bear our weight, even across 

 to the southern island. 



September 25, Saturday. The wind abated ; tempe- 

 rature 11 at noon. The sergeant wounded a walrus, but 

 it was beyond our reach ; and several eider-ducks were 

 swimming in the pools, but as they could not be ob- 

 tained, even if killed, orders were issued to reserve the 

 ammunition. In the evening the wind shifted to the 

 northward, and the temperature fell to 8. The slum- 

 bers of those who slept were probably pleasanter, but 

 prayers for lower temperature, or intense cold, possibly 

 had not before been so devoutly offered (?). 



