CHAP. VI.] LABOURS CONTINUED. 387 



and some water could be made out from the 

 mast-head, between south and west, but the ice 

 near us was so close, that there would have been 

 little difficulty in walking five or six miles in any 

 direction. Indeed, it could not be otherwise 

 with these never-ending easterly winds. As 

 early as 4 h a. m. the crew were working the long 

 saw astern, and by noon had cut through twenty- 

 five feet, or more, of sixteen-feet ice. On all 

 these occasions the first lieutenant never quitted 

 them, early or late, frequently putting his hand 

 to the ropes himself, as did some of the mates 

 and warrant officers ; and it is but justice to say, 

 that nothing could exceed the cheerfulness and 

 order in which this laborious daily toil was en- 

 countered. The strictest regulations were ob- 

 served respecting the changing of boots and 

 stockings, &c, each time the men came on 

 board, and again on returning to work, so that 

 there were no complaints or illness of any kind 

 from the constant exposure. Boards and planking 

 were provided for them to stand upon, and a 

 weak mixture of lime-juice was issued, at stated 

 intervals, to counteract any ill effect that might 

 arise from too copious a use of cold water. New 

 ice was nightly formed on all the pools, and 

 sometimes at the edges of the salt water, though, 

 according to the thermometer, the temperature 



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