234 EXPECTATION OF CRISIS. [CHAP.V. 



In the afternoon the other boats were hoisted 

 higher up, to save them from damage in the 

 event of the ship being thrown much over on 

 her broadside. For three hours we remained 

 unmolested, though the ice outside of the floe 

 was moving in various directions, some pieces 

 almost whirling round, and of course, in the 

 effort, disturbing others. At 5 h p. m., however, the 

 piece near the ship having previously opened 

 enough to allow of her resuming a nearly up<- 

 right position, collapsed again with a force that 

 made every plank complain ; and further pres- 

 sure being added at six o'clock, an ominous 

 cracking was heard, that only ceased on her 

 being lifted bodily up eighteen inches. The 

 same unwelcome visitation was repeated an hour 

 afterwards, in consequence of the closing of a 

 narrow lane directly astern. The night was 

 very fine, but the vapour which arose from the 

 many cracks, as well as the small open space 

 alongside, quickly becoming converted into small 

 spiculse of snow, rendered the cold intolerably 

 keen to those who faced the wind. Up to mid- 

 night we were not much annoyed, and for four 

 hours afterwards, on February 21st, all was quiet. 

 Every man had gone to rest with his clothes on, 

 and was agreeably surprised at being so long 

 undisturbed by the usual admonitory grinding. 

 However, at 4 h l() m a. m. a commotion was heard, 

 which appeared to be confined to the angle con- 



