CHAP. V.] A LULL. C 25J 



suppose that, however close and packed the ice 

 might be in our vicinity, there either could not 

 be such a continuous body to the northward as 

 we conjectured, or, that it must be interrupted 

 by lanes and other openings sufficiently extensive 

 to allow of its being put into motion even by a 

 light wind. Towards evening the ice closed a 

 little, but until 6 h a. m., March 4th, remained 

 perfectly quiet, and thus allowed us the enjoy- 

 ment of a sound sleep. Neither at that hour 

 was there any thing more than a slight rushing 

 ahead, occasioned probably by the change of 

 tide, as the ship began immediately to drift to 

 the N.W., and so continued to do until noon. 

 The approach of the new moon kept us alive to 

 every symptom of change in the weather ; and 

 when the wind drew more round to north, caus- 

 ing a trifling movement among the ice in that 

 quarter, apprehensions began to be entertained 

 that a breeze would come from the same point. 

 Meantime the ship drifted backward and forward 

 with the tide, without encountering any annoy- 

 ance. We had now thirty-six small sledges 

 made, which completed our arrangements for 

 whatever might happen. 



After a passing alarm in the early morning, the 

 5th of March went quietly over until 6 h p, ivl, 

 when a noise was heard in the north-east direction. 

 The breeze also had freshened, and often came in 



s 



