DR. HAYES' TERRIBLE BOAT TRIP 387 



Before that's gone we'll shoot a seal.' It was a right gallant and hopeful 

 little speech, and 'Long George' (as his messmates always called him) 

 looked quite the hero. It reflected the spirit of the party; and it is one of the 

 pleasantest recollections of my life that, notwithstanding nineteen days of 

 danger and suffering, during which they had been wet, cold, and often half 

 famished, the men who were my companions did not quail at this crisis, 



"In order that the nature of our situation might be more fully under- 

 stood, Mr. Sonntag brought out his charts; and after we had carefully dis- 

 cussed together the difficulties and dangers on every hand; the possible 

 chances of our success, and the probable chances of our being caught in the 

 ice ; and having all arrived at a full comprehension of the uncertainties which 

 were before us, and our facilities for availing ourselves of the temporary 

 security which was behind us, a formal vote was then taken upon the ques- 

 tion, 'Whether we should go back, or wait and go on with the slightest open- 

 ing.' 



"There was but one voice in the company — 'Upernavik or nothing, then 

 it is!' That's what I mean!' — 'and so do I!' were the prompt responses. — 

 The thing was settled. 



Hayes' diary for a few days graphically describes the situation: 



"September nth. The ice drifts rapidly out of the sound, opening wider 

 the leads toward Cape Parry and the southwest ; but it is closing up more 

 tightly against the southeast corner of the island. The floes have left the 

 shore opposite our camp, and we could put to sea and make some headway 

 toward the Carey Islands; but this is not the course we have determined 

 upon pursuing. We could not advance more than half a mile in the direc- 

 tion of the main land. Godfrey has shot a fox, and he reports having seen 

 several others among the mountains. Petersen brought down a young raven ; 

 it is not good, but we must eat it and save our pork. The sky is overcast, 

 and the temperature has gone down to 25°. The air remains calm. 



"September 13th. No change in the ice. This state of inactivity greatly 

 affects our spirits. Every hour is precious, and it is hard to be kept thus 

 closely imprisoned. 



"It is wonderful how the fine weather holds; nothing like it was ever 

 experienced at Rensselaer Harbor, even in midsummer. The people amuse 

 themselves in wandering about the green, in plucking and eating cochlearia, 

 or in lounging about the camp, smoking their pipes ; sometimes relieving the 

 monotony with a game of whist, or in sewing up the rents in their dilapidated 



