288 PLEASANT TEMPERATURE. [CHAP.V. 



or backwards and forwards, along the coast. 

 The latter was still obscured by frost smoke, 

 which rose in dense clouds from the ever-shift- 

 ing black lanes of water, instantly converted, on 

 the least cessation from action, into firm bay ice. 

 The sensation was that of intense cold, when ex- 

 posed to the breeze charged with frozen vapour, 

 but the temperature was not only bearable, but 

 even pleasant, when under the lee of ice, and open 

 to the warmth of the sun. Our cutters were still 

 on the floe pieces, for the ship remained precisely 

 in the position into which she had been thrown 

 on the night of the 15th, and one pump was 

 quite equal to keep her dry; but as it was uncer- 

 tain when she might come upright by the easing 

 away of the ice which bound and poised her up, 

 I had every thing in readiness to hoist them to 

 the davits, and to set additional pumps at work 

 without a moment's delay. About 10 h a. m. a 

 glimpse was caught of the land ; but as only the 

 lower part was discernible, the precise whereabouts 

 could not be determined. Neither holes nor 

 vapour were seen to the north-east. At noon, it 

 could not be ascertained in which direction the 

 ice was setting, so great was the haze. The 

 barometer had risen to the height of 30. 58. 

 Wind south, moderate. Thermometer 10° — , 

 and in the sun 11°-|-. 



This was the day for the examination of the 



