1S5~.] LAUNCH THE 'EIDER DUCK.' 133 



the very spot where our attention was directed, afforded 

 the suggestion that she accepted the compliment, But 

 nothing of this nature from the ship was noticed, a 

 matter becoming about this moment painfully exciting. 



I had omitted, amongst such serious considerations, 

 to notice the launch of our new vessel. It is usual in 

 lower latitudes, or in the regions of the grape (or even 

 of malt), to christen such bantlings with the customary 

 honours ; but on the occasion of our launch there was 

 nothing at hand but snowballs, and in sober sulkiness 

 she took the water under the appellation of ' The Eider 

 Duck.' 



Commander Richards became very anxious to make 

 the attempt to cross ; but with the rough packed ice 

 this was not safe. Indeed I had determined not to risk 

 our all on any ill-considered experiments. 



On Sunday, the 3rd of October, was our day of rest. 

 Many solicitations to cross were repeated ; but I had no 

 confidence in anything around me, and I felt that when 

 I ceased to command, then the spirits of my best men 

 would flag, and that where difficulty and danger was to 

 be braved it was my duty to lead. Besides, some unde- 

 finable feeling prompted me to delay : who shall attempt 

 to unravel this curious or rather mysterious habit which 

 has followed my fortunes ? I was firm ; providentially, 

 I must add, I deferred until the morrow. 



On the 4th the temperatures fell successively from 

 16 to 4; but the ice, although frozen in many parts, 

 still exhibited very suspicious cracks. Unaccountably I 

 had now arrived at my determination, why or where- 

 fore, to myself is inexplicable ; moreover, it was still more 



