638 THE RESCUE. 



we got fast in the ice ; could get no farther. Landed on 

 a piece of ice and hoisted our colors from an elevated 

 place. Mustered our rifles and pistols and fired together, 

 making a considerable report. Fired three rounds and 

 were answered by three shots, the steamer at the same lima 

 heading for us. He headed north, then southeast, and 

 kept on so all day. He tried to work through the ice, but 

 could not. Very strange. I should think any sailing 

 vessel, much less a steamer, could get through with ease. 

 We fired several rounds and kept our colors flying, but he 

 came no nearer. He was not over four or five miles dis- 

 tant. Late in the afternoon he steamed away" bearing 

 southwest. We gave him up. In the evening he hove in 

 sight again, but farther off. While looking at him another 

 stranger hove in sight, so that we have two sealers near, 

 one on each side of us, and I do not expect to be picked 

 up by either of them. At sunset sighted land southwest, 

 a long way off. Mr. Meyer took an observation to-day ; 

 latitude 53 4' north. Hans caught a seal, very small and 

 young a perfect baby of a seal. Dried most of our things 

 to-day. 



" April 30. 5 A. M., weather thick and foggy. Glorious 

 sight when the fog broke ; a steamer close to us. She 

 sees us and bears down on us. We are saved, thank God ! 

 "We are safe on board the Tigress, of St. John's, Captain 

 Bartlett. He says the other steamer could not have seen 

 us, as the captain is noted for his humanity. The Tigress 

 musters 120 men, the kindest and most obliging I have 

 ever met. Picked up in latitude 53 35' north." 



The Tigress carried the rescued party to St. John's, 

 where they were received by the entire populace with the 

 wildest demonstrations of delight. The secretary of the 

 navy, as we have seen in the preceding chapter, sent the 

 Frolic for them, and they were brought in safety to the 

 capital city of their own country. 



