CHAP. VI.] BRIGHTENED HOPES. 359 



were pouring down from the more elevated 

 pieces of ice into the hollows and thence into the 

 sea. Before noon, a hole had appeared within 

 fifty paces of the starboard quarter, and, singular 

 enough, without other apparent cause than a 

 trifling motion in the looser floating ice. About 

 the same time, and without any noise, a ser- 

 pentine lane of water unexpectedly broke on our 

 sight, at no greater distance than one hundred 

 and sixty yards. It was connected with the 

 hole just referred to, and extended across the 

 bow towards some brash and mixed ice to the 

 south-west, in the limit of which direction, for 

 some days past, a dark lane of water had been 

 more or less visible. The appearance, as if by 

 magic, of an opening so near the ship, was pro- 

 bably the most fortunate event that could have 

 happened, for until some such occurrence, we 

 could indulge but slender expectations of a speedy 

 release ; whereas, now, the hopes which frequent 

 disappointment had dimmed suddenly bright- 

 ened, and cast an enlivening gleam on the future. 

 The temperature had not been lower than 30° + . 

 Up to noon of June 12th, the only further 

 change was another separation between two of 

 the heavier floe pieces, still nearer to the star- 

 board side of the ship ; after which another 

 twenty-four hours of tedious uniformity rolled 

 heavily away amidst a dead calm and thick 



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