AUG. 1859. WAITING TO ESCAPE. 279 



ice-edge, out of the way of the shore and rocks as it turned 

 round and drifted along the cliffs to the westward, gave us 

 some hours' occupation. At length it stuck fast between 

 Fox Island and the main. 



At turn of tide on Friday morning the ice began to drift 

 eastward, and by this time being much broken up, and 

 a breeze coming to our aid, we managed to extricate our- 

 selves, and reach a secure anchorage in Port Kennedy. 



On Saturday night some ice that was left came drifting 

 out of the inner harbour, and obliged us to slip our cable ; 

 but after a few hours we regained our berth in safety, and 

 have since been undisturbed. There is no immediate 

 prospect of escape, but we expect a prodigious smashing 

 up of the ice whenever a strong wind comes to set it in 

 motion. To-day the steam was got up, and with the help 

 of our two stokers I worked the engines for a short time. 

 It is very cheering to know that we still have steam power 

 at our command, although, by the deaths of poor Mr. Brand 

 and Robert Scott, we were deprived of our engineer and 

 engine-driver. 



The mean temperature for July has been 40*14°, which is 

 above the average for this region ; the July temperatures 

 have usually varied from 36° to 42°. 



All are now in good health, but Hobson is still a little lame. 

 The issue of lemon-juice has been reduced to the ordinary 

 allowance of half an ounce daily (as we have but little that 

 is really good), lest another winter should become in- 

 evitable, which, I can devoutly say, may God forbid ! 



Monday night, 8t/i. — Very anxiously awaiting an oppor- 

 tunity to escape. We have constantly watched the ice from 

 the neighbouring hills, including the lofty summit of Mount 

 Walker — named after the Doctor, who was the first to 

 ascend it (n 23 feet) — from which Fury Point can be 

 distinguished, but nothing very cheering has been seen. We 



