CHAP. VI.] GRATIFYING REFLECTIONS. 405 



It was a scene not to be forgotten by the spec- 

 tators. It wanted but one day to complete four 

 months since the ship had been thrown upon 

 the ice. In that period what extraordinary 

 phenomena we had witnessed — what manifold 

 mercies had shielded us when all seemed des- 

 perate, and now we were free : the good ship 

 was once more in her own element, and subject 

 to the will of man ! I almost doubted the reality 

 of what I saw. 



The crew were again alive for duty ; and 

 having unloaded and hoisted up the boats, the 

 termination, as we hoped, of our weary anxieties 

 was celebrated by the distribution of a little grog 

 to the crew, who, after three cheers, which they 

 requested permission to give, to myself and the 

 officers, the fine fellows were sent to their 

 hammocks. The officers were glad to follow 

 the example of the men : Lieutenant Smyth, in 

 particular, must have been greatly fatigued ; for 

 since the 21st of June he had been himself daily 

 at work, and his exertions throughout this trying 

 affair were as meritorious as they were harassing. 

 Two accidents only happened, from first to last, 

 and one of these was slight ; the other, as having 

 befallen an invalid, was more serious, but yet 

 not dangerous. What might have happened had 

 the people remained on the ice it is difficult to 

 conjecture ; but as it rose and fell against the 



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