CHAP. V.] SEAL. 299 



eased down ; and to our no small astonishment, 

 in one instance, no sooner had the ponderous 

 mass fallen into the opening space, than a seal 

 started up from beneath, in evident alarm. 

 Up to noon, the wind being moderate from the 

 westward, the ice moved a little in the opposite 

 direction. Soundings were obtained in fifty-six 

 fathoms, having a hard bottom. The weather 

 was always thick : thermometer 12°+ and 13°+; 

 barometer 30. 31. All continued tranquil; and 

 as the western tide made, the ice closed about the 

 lanes, &c. turning our pack, and, consequently, 

 the ship's head about three points more to the 

 south. 



April 1st. The wind came from E. N. E., and 

 about 5 h a. m. the ship's head was veered more to 

 the west, almost dead on for the land ; the ice 

 then moving slowly to the westward. The 

 change in the weather was such as to thaw the 

 snow on the sails and housing, from which 

 we beheld the novel sight of water dripping and 

 running along the decks. And although there 

 was not the least alteration in the uncomfortable 

 position of the ship, yet it was gratifying to ob- 

 serve the pump less constantly in action, and 

 still more enlivening to behold the people clear- 

 ing the wet deck and removing the accumulated 

 rubbish of a winter's gathering. At 2 h p. m. the 

 temperature in the sun was 35° + , and 29° 5 +in 



