CHAP. V.] FORGE AGAIN ERECTED. 325 



Soon after the mournful ceremony was con- 

 cluded, a little snow-bunting was observed to 

 hover for a few seconds over the aperture 

 through which the body had been lowered, and 

 then to fly away. 



For the preceding eighteen hours the wind 

 had freshened considerably from the south- 

 west, and at noon the weather being dark 

 with snow no observation could be got, 

 neither was any land in sight, though we con- 

 sidered we were setting with the entire body 

 of ice towards Mill Islands. The people 

 were occupied in refitting different parts of 

 the ship, and our winter housing was taken 

 down. So great indeed was the quiet we now 

 enjoyed, that the forge was again erected on the 

 ice, for the purpose of making and repairing 

 several articles of which we stood in need. No 

 water was visible : another flock of ducks passed 

 near. In the evening the wind veered to 

 W. N. W., and occasionally blew fresh in squalls. 

 Early on April 28th a few holes of water were 

 observed, but soon closed again. What how- 

 ever was more interesting, was an island faintly 

 distinguished from the mast-head, bearing south- 

 east. At noon it was no longer in sight, in con- 

 sequence of the ship having drifted to the south- 

 ward. The temperature had once fallen so 

 low as 1° — , but subsequently rose again to 



y 3 



