626 AT THE MERCY OF THE ELEMENTS. 



piece of a floe. We were beset by the ice, and could not 

 get through, so we encamped for the night. The wind is 

 now fair for us, N. N. E., but we cannot get through the 

 ice. I hope for better luck to-morrow. We take seals 

 when we want them, old or young, so that it is not neces- 

 sary to croak any more until they get more scarce. 



" April 4. Wind N. E. ; favorable for us, but I am sorry 

 to say we cannot start. The ice surrounds us ; the ice 

 opened at 8.30, and we got under way at 8.45 A. M. After 

 two hours' good run we are beset in the ice again, and 

 have to stop for the present, hoping it will open to-morrow. 

 Mr. Meyer took an observation, latitude 56 47'. The 

 wind is springing up ; I am afraid we shall have bad 

 weather. 



" April 5. Blowing a gale from the N. E., and a fearful 

 sea running. Two pieces broke from the floe. We are on 

 one close to the tent. At 5 A. M. removed our things to 

 the centre. Another piece broke off, carrying Joe's hut 

 (just built) with it; luckily, it gave some warning, so that 

 they had time to throw out some things before it parted. 

 A dreadful day ; cannot do anything to help ourselves. 

 If the ice break up much more, we must break up with it ; 

 set a watch all night. 



"April 6, Wind changed to N. W. ; blowing a very 

 severe gale. Still on the same ice ; cannot get off. At 

 the" mercy of the elements. Joe lost another hut to-day. 

 The ice, with a roar, split across the floe, cutting Joe's hut 

 right in two. We have but a small piece left. Cannot 

 lie down to-night. Put a few things in the boat, and now 

 standing by for a jump ; such is the night. 



" April 1. Wind W. N.W. ; still blowing a gale, with a 

 fearful sea running. The ice split right across our tent 

 this morning at 6 A. M. While getting a few ounces of 

 bread and pemmican we lost our breakfast in scrambling 

 out of our tent, and nearly lost our boat, which would 

 have been terrible. We could not catch any seal after 



