64 ELISHA KENT KANE. 



In this uncomfortable position we remained. The 

 wind blew a gale from the eastward, and the ice 

 all around was in dreadful commotion, excepting, 

 fortunately, that in immediate contact with us. The 

 commotion in the ice continued all through the 

 night; and we were in momentary expectation of 

 the destruction of both vessels. The easterly gale 

 had set us some two or three miles to the west. As 

 soon as it was light enough to see on the 9th, it was 

 discovered that the heavy ice on which the Rescue 

 had been imbedded for so long a time was entirely 

 broken up and piled up around her in massive 

 hummocks. On her pumps being sounded, I was 

 gratified to learn that she remained tight, notwith- 

 standing the immense straining and pressure she 

 must have endured. 



"During this period of trial, as well as in all former 

 and subsequent ones, I could not avoid being struck 

 with the calmness and decision of the officers, as 

 well as the subordination and good conduct of the 

 men, without an exception. Each one knew the 

 imminence of the peril that surrounded us, and was 

 prepared to abide it with a stout heart. There was 

 no noise, no confusion. I did not detect, even in 

 the moment when the destruction of the vessel 

 seemed inevitable, a single desponding look among 

 the whole crew : on the contrary, each one seemed 



