192 WHALE-FISHERY. 



every little hole or space in the bay-ice, and occa- 

 sionally they were observed to break through it, 

 for the purpose of breathing. In various little open- 

 ings, free of ice, near the ship, few of which were 

 twenty yards in diameter, we placed boats; each 

 equipped with a harpoon and lines, and directed 

 by two or three men. They had orders to place 

 themselves in such a situation, that if a fish appear- 

 ed in the same opening, they could scarcely fail of 

 striking it. Previous to this, I provided myself with 

 a pair of ice shoes, consisting of two pieces of thin 

 deal, six feet in length, and seven in breadth. 

 They were made very thin at both ends; aud, in 

 the centre of each, was a hollow place exactly 

 adapted for the reception of the sole of my boot, 

 with a loop of leather for confining the toes. I was 

 thus enabled to retain the ice shoes pretty firmly to 

 my feet, when required, or, when I wished it, of 

 disengaging them in a moment. Where the ice was 

 smooth, it was easy to move in a straight line; but, 

 in turning, I found a considerable difficulty, and 

 required some practice before 1 could effect it, with- 

 out falling. I advanced, with tolerable speed, when 

 the ice was level on the surface, by sliding the 

 shoes alternately forward, but when I met with 

 rough hilly places, I experienced great inconve- 

 nience. When, however, the rough places happen- 

 ed to consist of strong ice, which generally was the 

 case, I stepped out of my ice shoes, until I reached 

 a weaker part. Equipped with this apparatus, I 



