56 TRINITY ISLES. 



current or tide was now driving us fast towards 

 the land, it became necessary to tack, and try 

 our fortune once more in the offing. It was 

 evident that no ordinary cause could thus have 

 detained us two days with a commanding breeze; 

 and I began to think that nothing but a fair 

 wind would release us, when suddenly the ship 

 took a start, and just as unaccountably went 

 away in mid channel, hurrying us in a short time 

 abreast of the Trinity Isles of Fox. The north 

 shore was partially covered with the snow that 

 had lately fallen ; all that could be seen consisted 

 of solid and barren rock, entirely destitute of 

 herbage, or, as far as I could judge, of any thing 

 capable of supporting life. Not an inhabitant, 

 nor even an animal or bird was seen. 



By 4 h p. m. the islands were upwards of ten 

 miles astern, when the breeze left us, and we 

 obtained soundings in one hundred and twenty- 

 three fathoms, the bottom consisting as usual 

 of blue mud. Soon after we had snow, and 

 the barometer began to fall. Hardly had the 

 necessary reduction been made in the sails, 

 when the wind increased to a fresh gale, 

 which speedily brought us to the edge of some 

 heavy ice. The whole of the night was occu- 

 pied in endeavouring to twine our way through 

 it; and although in the morning of the 17th, 

 from its detached appearance hopes were excited 

 that the interruption would not be of long con- 



