CHAP. V*] SNOW. 293 



In the evening two more narrow openings were 

 observed ; the one about a hundred paces from 

 the larboard bow, which it crossed, joining the 

 principal lane along shore ; the other a little 

 farther astern, stretching out to the N. N. E., 

 where it ran into the one on the quarter. These 

 separations were the more remarkable, as the 

 wind latterly had been from the north and east, 

 and might have been expected, therefore, to bind 

 the ice against the shore. However, as we were at 

 no great distance from Hudson's Straits, the ice 

 east of our position might have streamed away into 

 that opening, leaving the body behind it more 

 space for motion. The room thus made caused no 

 parting of the heavy pieces, between which the 

 ship was lifted up, and notwithstanding a grinding 

 noise heard from the north, we did not alter our 

 position in the least. 



March 26th. Small snow continued to fall 

 throughout the night ; and although when morn- 

 ing came it was too thick to see the land, it was 

 evident we were setting to the eastward. There 

 was an opinion that less water found its way into 

 the ship, but on ceasing to use the pump for 

 forty-five minutes it was found that twelve inches 

 had accumulated. The men, however, were not 

 kept so constantly at work as before, so that 

 either the leak was reduced, or they contrived 

 to throw more water out in a given time. About 



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