3-12 EXTRA MEAL ALLOWED. [cHAP.VI. 



"set was spread to the breeze ; though, scarcely 

 had we fairly launched into the wide opening 

 of Davis's Strait, than we were compelled to 

 put the ship under snug canvass. In the midst 

 of one of the squalls the look-out man called 

 out " ice ahead ;" and before there was time 

 to perform any evolution, we were right among 

 it: luckily, it was only the straggling edge of 

 a loose stream, which was passed without in- 

 jury, though it required the utmost vigilance 

 to steer clear of the numerous bergs seen 

 dimly through the haze of a starless night. 



Early on August 7th Resolution Island was 

 just in sight, astern ; and, under the influence 

 of a most promising westerly breeze, sail was 

 again crowded, while active measures were 

 adopted to hoist inboard and firmly secure 

 our boats, anchors, &c, for the voyage across. 

 One circumstance alone gave cause for uneasi- 

 ness, and this was the working of the injured parts 

 of the stern-posts and keel by which more water 

 necessarily found admission. A strong shore was 

 immediately fixed to counteract it, which in 

 some respects answered well ; though it was 

 not altogether effective, since the pumps were 

 constantly required to keep the ship free. The 

 arduous duty thus imposed on a weakened 

 crew, together with other considerations, induced 

 the surgeon to recommend an additional meal 

 of preserved meat in the week, with more an- 



