77 



CHAP. II. 



Steer for Southampton Island. — Conjectures respecting the 

 Ice. — Islands. — Pressure of the Wind. — Ship immove- 

 able. — Cutting away the Ice. — Snotv. — Drifting towards 

 Land. — Accident to Rudder. — Aspect of contiguous Coast. 



— New Moon. — Recreations of the Crew. — Chase of a 

 Bear. — Hawser carried away by Ice. — Icebound in sight 

 of Land. — Wind veers to South-west. — Prospect of Re- 

 lease. — Hopes disappointed. — Ship driven nearer Land. 



— Mr. Gore shoots a Fox. — Ship in extreme Peril. — 

 Frightful Increase of Pressure. — Providential Delivery. — 

 Exploring Expedition. — A Dock cut in the Ice. — Con- 

 sultation of Officers. — Rapid Destruction of the Floe. — 

 Bow of the Ship split. — Hopes of progressing baffled. 



This detention, so irksome to the officers, though, 

 as it seemed, little regarded by the men, continued 

 throughout the forenoon of the 1st September, 

 the observations at noon showing no perceptible 

 difference in our situation, which, considering 

 the manner that the Hecla and Fury* were 

 whirled about in the same place, is another proof 

 of the capriciousness of polar navigation. 



The wind, however, gradually drew round to 

 the westward of north ; yet, though tolerably 

 fresh, it was long before it made the smallest 

 impression on the ice. At last at 5 p. m. the 



* See Parry's Narrative. 



