286 CALM WEATHER. [CHAP.V. 



tin lied quiet; but the wind being very light from 

 the westward, a faint disturbance was heard in 

 the first watch, supposed to arise from an attempt 

 of the ice to open a little. 



March 19th. The same sounds, but more 

 distinct, were audible more or less frequently 

 until the forenoon, and sometimes they were 

 accompanied by rushes that set every one on the 

 alert. Indeed, on looking minutely round, a 

 few fresh cracks were discovered, and we were 

 obviously much nearer to the tidal lane, or 

 rather wall, the interval between the two bodies 

 of ice not exceeding two feet, though how this 

 had happened we were somewhat puzzled to 

 understand. There was much frost smoke rising 

 from small cracks around, which rendered the 

 land rather indistinct. After 8 h a. m. we drifted 

 west again, with rather an accelerated motion. 

 Divine service w 7 as not omitted, and at noon the 

 weather was fine but cold, out of the sun, the 

 thermometer in the shade being 20°—. At 

 l h 30 m p. m. the ice commenced setting to the 

 eastward, the wind then being light from the 

 land. Soon after 4 h there was a small lane or 

 opening between the ship and the wall ; and 

 about the same time a great noise was heard in 

 the direction of the starboard bow. Every 

 thing was again quiet by midnight, when the 

 wind veered to the south. 



