382 DR. HAYES' TERRIBLE BOAT TRIP 



Over this was spread the sail. After securing the corners with heavy stones 

 we crawled in, but we thus obtained only a sorry protection. The wind 

 came in on every side." 



Some of the men found sleep, but Dr. Hayes could not do so. He started 

 to explore the island for a more protected spot, only to lose sight of the boat, 

 as did a comrade who followed him. Then two others joined them. Says 

 Dr. Hayes: 



"I communicated to them my fears respecting the party. I sent Godfrey 

 to watch seaward. Bonsall went to the north cape, and I remained in my 

 old position. The night wore on ; daylight came slowly back ; the wind died 

 away to a fresh breeze ; the sea was going down ; the spray leapt less wildly ; 

 yet nothing could we see of the boat. 



"At length a change of tide brought a change of scene; the ice was set 

 in motion; the pack, which had so closely hugged the land, was loosened; 

 and it stretched its long arms out over the water to the westward. Broad 

 leads ran through the body of it. Bonsall's quick eye first detected something 

 dark moving upon the water. T see the boat,' he shouted to me, — 'Where 

 away?' — 'Coming down through the in-shore lead.' There she was, with all 

 sail set, bearing directly for the island. By eight o'clock her party brought 

 up on the south side of our encampment. I counted them as they floated by ; 

 one, two, three, four, five — John was there. 



"The swell was still too high to permit them to touch the rocks with 

 their frail boat ; we therefore launched the metallic boat, and following them 

 under oars, pulled around behind Cape Ohlsen. Here was found a snug little 

 harbor with a shingly beach. The cargo was unshipped, and the boats were 

 hauled up at half-past eleven o'clock. The sun's slanting rays shone directly 

 in Upon us from the south; the mercury went up to 28°. Not a breath of air 

 rippled the water. No surf beat upon the shore. What a contrast to the 

 tumultuous scenes of yesterday! From a little stream of melted snow which 

 trickled down the mountain side, we filled our kettles; the lamp was fired; 

 and in an hour and a half the cook had ready for us a good pot of coffee, 

 and a stew of the young eiders which were left from the day before; to 

 which were added some pieces of pork, and a young burgomaster gull, which 

 had been shot on the way from Lyttleton Island. While this substantial 

 breakfast was being eaten, we interchanged our stories of the night's ad- 

 ventures. 



"Our friends had had a fearful night. Bad as had been our fortune 



