CHAP.Yi.] ANOTHER INVALID. 417 



was fastened, in consequence of the increased 

 straining of the ship. Early on July 24th a 

 tempting lead appearing in the right direction, 

 that is to say, slanting off the shore, sail was 

 again made, and leaving the floe, under the 

 influence of a fresh breeze, we proceeded three 

 or four miles without any impediment from ice. 

 At the end of that distance, however, the ship 

 was compelled to bore among heavy masses, and 

 in so doing there was no possibility of escaping 

 many serious blows that shook her whole frame, 

 though still without apparent injury. At 9 h 30 m 

 the impracticability of proceeding further became 

 apparent, and we made fast to an extensive old 

 floe, of the yellow tinted kind, which happened 

 to be at hand. I ought to mention that, at one 

 time, we fancied a brigantine was in sight, which, 

 as the day became clearer, turned out to be an 

 iceberg, being over towards the north shore. 

 We had succeeded in drawing away from the 

 land about twenty miles, and the whole of the 

 forenoon we were set considerably to the south- 

 east. The hope of getting entirely free of 

 the ice and breathing a different air had diffused 

 fresh spirits in most of our invalids ; but it was 

 annoying to find a new patient in the list, and 

 one, too, who had passed through the regions of 

 the winter without evincing the least symptom 

 of disorder. The whole affair, indeed was inex- 



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