208 MORE LIMPERS. [CHAP.IV. 



S. E., and varying between that and S. S. W., 

 brought with it an overcast sky and fresh breezes, 

 approaching often to a smart gale, which soon 

 caused a separation between the sea and land ice, 

 and drove us slowly off shore. On the 4th the 

 distance had increased to ten miles ; and, from a 

 partial glimpse of the land, it was conjectured we 

 had also moved seven miles to the east, a result 

 exactly similar to what had been before expe- 

 rienced from an off-shore wind, and the reasons 

 for which have already been assigned. Although 

 the barometer had predicted with such accuracy 

 the heavy gale which had driven us from the west- 

 ward of Cape Comfort to Ridge Cliff, on this 

 occasion it had not yet indicated the breezes 

 experienced since the 2nd instant ; but what was 

 remarkable enough, and forced itself unwillingly 

 on our notice, was the general effect on the 

 sick, who all complained of being worse. The 

 temperature, it should be observed, had risen to 

 zero on board, and 2°— on the ice ; at the same 

 time there was a wide lane of water between 

 the ship and the land. On inspecting the crew 

 at divisions this morning, I was sorry to observe 

 more people limping, while not one could be got 

 out of the list. It was beyond our comprehen- 

 sion or control. They had abundance of pro- 

 visions, the allowance having been again recently 



