308 RUSH OF ICE. [CHAP.V. 



open in the day-time, our lower deck had been 

 perfectly dry and pure. Until 8 h the ice was 

 quiet ; but about, that time, there being a light 

 wind blowing from the north, a low grinding was 

 heard at the outer edge of the outer floe-piece, 

 and soon after, the two or three holes of water 

 in that quarter closed up. The commotion was 

 followed at 10 h p. m. by a heavy rush of the 

 seaward ice against the same piece, on which it 

 not only made encroachments, but shook it 

 throughout its whole dimensions so as to intimate 

 the effect on board by the short cracking of the 

 after part of the ship. Ultimately a barrier was 

 thrown up about eighteen feet high. It became 

 prudent, therefore, to secure the provisions and 

 stores, which were alongside the cutters, and to 

 have the latter in readiness to hoist up ; since, 

 notwithstanding the immense masses still appear- 

 ing in every direction, there was not another piece 

 proper to receive them. Nothing further occurred 

 at that time ; but when daylight came, on April 9th, 

 the starboard floe-piece was found to be cracked 

 in several parts. At 5 h a. m. the ice was setting 

 to the east, and the temperature had fallen 

 to 26°—. However, at 8 h it had risen to 10° + . 

 Shortly afterwards the seaward ice became 

 agitated, and ground so suspiciously against our 

 diminishing territory, that it was considered 

 prudent to hoist up both the cutters. In the 



