THE SCHOONER IN DANGER. 87 



We lay in this position during eight anxious hours. 



At length the crash ceased with a change of wind 

 and tide. The ice exhibited signs of relaxing. The 

 course of the monster floes which were crowding down 

 the Sound was changed more to the westward. We 

 beheld the prospect of release with joy. 



Small patches of open water were here and there 

 exhibited among the hitherto closely impacted ice. 

 The change of scene, though less fearful, was not less 

 magical than before. By and by the movement ex- 

 tended to the floes which bound us so uncomfortably, 

 and with the first cessation of the pressure the blocks 

 of ice which supported the forward part of the schooner 

 gave way, and, the bows following them, left the stern 

 high in the air. Here we rested for a few moments 

 quietly, and then the old scene was renewed. The 

 further edge of the outer floe which held us was 

 caught by another moving field of greater size, when 

 the jam returned, and we appeared to be in as great 

 danger as before : but this attack was of short du- 

 ration. The floe revolved, and, the pressure being 

 ahnost instantly removed, we fell into the water, reel- 

 ing forward and backward and from side to side, as 

 the ice, seeking its own equilibrium, settled headlong 

 and in wild confusion beneath us from its forced ele- 

 vation. 



Freed from this novel and alarming situation, we 

 used every available means to disengage ourselves 

 from the ruins of the frightful battle which we had 

 encountered ; and, as speedily as possible, got into a 

 position of greater safety. Meanwhile an inspection 

 was made to ascertain what damage had been done to 

 the schooner. The hold was rapidly filling with water, 

 the rudder was split, two of its pintles were broken off, 



