CHAP. IV.] THE COAST. 211 



We were at least five miles from the nearest land, 

 and had been set and blown with the entire body 

 of the ice so far to the eastward, as to have the 

 Ridge Cliff for the most westerly bearing astern. 

 At noon the observed latitude was 64° 38' 30" N., 

 longitude 82° 01' W., and soundings were ob- 

 tained in one hundred and fifty fathoms, with a 

 bottom of green mud. In the course of twenty- 

 four hours we had altered our position eleven 

 miles in latitude, and nearly twenty of longitude. 

 The ice appeared to be drawing to the land, 

 though no open water was seen near it, and the 

 wind still continued on the quarter. The out- 

 line of the coast was more regular and sloping 

 at the point, which, with an elevated and ob- 

 tusely peaked hill, formed what seemed like 

 islands, and were probably taken for such on a 

 former occasion. Abreast of us were two bays. 

 The wind having fallen considerably, the ship 

 and ice continued to draw nearer to the land, 

 but towards night the breeze freshened from 

 N. W. by N., and we began again to drift to the 

 eastward. The coruscations of the aurora were 

 visible at intervals to the south-east. At clear 

 daylight, it was perceived that we had been 

 set round the comparatively low point described 

 as forming yesterday the eastern boundary of 

 view, and now saw at the extreme limit of vision 

 ahead, a high bluff, disconnected from the 



p % 



