MOVEMENT OF THE ICE. 73 



In the forenoon the barometer had gone down 

 unusually low ; and as on former occasions this 

 had been invariably followed by a southerly 

 breeze, the same result was apprehended now ; 

 much to our relief, however, the wind blew with 

 some strength from the north-west, bringing with 

 it a prospect of release ; and though, packed 

 as the whole body south and east of us was sup- 

 posed to be, this could only be a work of time, 

 yet sanguine ideas were immediately entertained 

 of yet reaching our destination early enough to 

 do something this season. At noon, according 

 to the observations, we were within two miles 

 of the same spot ; but the effect of the wind was 

 shown by two or three partial openings near 

 the ship ; and, as early as 5 o'clock, a general 

 movement of the ice began. It came from the 

 westward, and immense quantities skirting the 

 extremity of the larger -floe to which we were 

 secured, and bearing down close upon us, were 

 there caught within the circle of an eddy, and 

 shortly swept away to the eastward. It is need- 

 less to say with how much pleasure so joyful a 

 sight was hailed, and how sincerely we prayed 

 that both the cause and effect might continue 

 until a passage should be cleared to the Frozen 

 Strait. The night was dark, with frequent squalls 

 and snow ; but on the morning of the 30th, the 

 ice was found to be still drifting in the same 



