SEARCH FOR FRANKLIN. 289 



visible ahead. They steered on at greater speed 

 received fewer, though still more severe, shocks had 

 room at length to steer clear of the heavier pieces and 

 at last, at 8 p.m. on the 25th, " emerged from the vil- 

 lanous pack, and were running fast through straggling 

 pieces into a clear sea. The engines were stopped, and 

 Mr. Brand (the engineer, and the only one since the death 

 of Scott able to work them) permitted to rest, after 

 eighteen hours' duty." 



" Throughout the day," says M'Clintock, " I trembled 

 for the safety of the rudder and screv. Deprived of the 

 one or the other, even for half an hour, I think our fate 

 would have been soaled. ... On many occasions the 

 engines were stopped dead by ice checking the screw ; 

 once it was some minutes before it could be got to 

 revolve again. Anxious moments those ! After yester- 

 day's experience, I can understand how men's hair has 

 grown grey in a few hours. Had self-reliance been my 

 only support and hope, it is not impossible that I might 

 have illustrated the fact. Under the circumstances, I did 

 my best to ensure our safety, looked as stoical as possible, 

 and inwardly trusted that God would favour our exer- 

 tions. 



" What a relief onrs has been, not only from eight 

 months' imprisonment, but from the perils of that one 

 day ! Ha<? STIT little vessel been destroyed after the ice 

 broke up, tLeie remained no hope for us. But we have 

 beec lroagi-1 safely througn, and are an truiy grateful, I 



