306 sir j. Gordon's bay. [chap. v. 



bound us the more against the sea ice. As he 

 tide changed, these places soon closed ; and 

 again at daylight, April 8th, opened much 

 wider than before. We drifted past the high 

 point, which was then ascertained to be the 

 north-western extremity of a fine open bay, 

 called after Sir James Gordon ; which making a 

 sweep of about two miles, with a radius from 

 three quarters to one mile, formed a second 

 point, and thence stretched to the farthest land 

 in sight. Much frost smoke was rising from the 

 open water beyond this land ; and in conse- 

 quence of the mist it caused, we were unable to 

 make out satisfactorily whether two comparatively 

 low spots were continuous with the main coast, 

 or islands off it. One fact, however, was beyond 

 question, viz. that the land ended there ; and that 

 the boundary, therefore, must be Sea Horse Point. 

 Could the ship have been once freed from 

 her icy fetters, I should soon have set the mat- 

 ter at rest ; since the fresh gale of the night, 

 combined with a favourable juncture of tide, had 

 so marvellously dispersed the inner, and indeed 

 some of the outer ice, that there was no other 

 impediment sufficient to have prevented our 

 getting entirely round it. As it was, I had no 

 choice but to remain quiet until nature should 

 set us free ; satisfied for the present if I could 

 purchase exemption from nipping. Every day, 



