284 st. Patrick's day. [chap. v. 



night rushing noises were occasionally heard 

 astern and to the north, and though these once 

 or twice intimated their approach by some sus- 

 picious sharp cracks, yet we reached the morn- 

 ing of the 17th without serious molestation. 

 The wind then came all at once from S. E. by S. 

 nearly ahead, bringing with it a load of vapoury 

 mist, small snow and drift. The land was not 

 visible, but it was evident we had got much 

 nearer to the edge of tidal ice ; for several well- 

 marked hummocks, which had been our com- 

 panions for months and weathered out every 

 gale, had in the comparative stillness of last 

 night disappeared altogether, taking with them 

 very liberal portions of the surrounding ice. 

 The wind had the effect of setting us slowly 

 to the westward, and though it gradually 

 drew ahead, yet there was no squeezing of the 

 ice, and St. Patrick's day was one of compa- 

 rative enjoyment ; nor in the midst of our own 

 disasters did we forget to wish all prosperity to 

 the " Gem of the Sea." The only drawback 

 was the incessant clanging of the pump, which 

 was still found indispensable to keep the ship 

 clear from water. Meantime there was no 

 lack of employment, especially on the outside, 

 where a large party with pickaxes, ice chisels 

 and shovels were fast reducing the bulk of the 

 towering wave that propped up the stern. To- 



