CHAP. IV.] COMMOTION. 181 



had carried the ship a few miles to the west ; 

 for at noon the observed latitude was 64° 51' N., 

 and longitude 82° 15' W. Thermometer 11°—. 

 Weather clear. 



For three successive days the ice around us 

 opened and closed so as frequently to leave our 

 small floe entirely insulated ; at each closing, 

 however, it was but too evident that we were 

 losers by the concussion. Fortunately, at least 

 as we supposed, the weather though overcast re- 

 mained almost calm, leaving us exposed only to the 

 action of the spring-tide, which on this occasion 

 (from what cause we knew not) produced no 

 further disturbance than to send us something 

 nearer to the shore ; a remarkable cliff being now 

 not more than seven or eight miles distant. On 

 the night of the 7th, a moderate breeze from 

 the north-west created a terrific din immediately 

 astern of the ship, and so great was the pressure 

 that the ice was actually ploughed up ten or 

 twelve feet, while the rumbling and crashing 

 underneath and along the surface effectually 

 marred our rest. Daylight of the 8th exhibited 

 the same opening immediately ahead, and the 

 floe diminished ; still as many parts of it consisted 

 merely of frozen sludge covered with snow, 

 which could not of course be expected to offer 

 effectual resistance against the battering and pres- 

 sure of a more solid substance, we were not with- 



n 3 



