160!2. GEORGE WEYMOUTH. l67 



not approach it on account of the vast quantity 

 of ice which encircled the shore. Proceeding 

 to the north-west they passed four islands of 

 ice " of a huge bignesse ;" the fog became so 

 thick that they could not see two ships' lengths 

 from them, and the sails, ropes, and tackle, were 

 frozen so stiff that they were unable to handle 

 them. The thick fog is represented to have frozen 

 as fast as it fell, in the middle of July, and the 

 stiffness of the ropes and sails made them useless. 

 On the 19th of this month, the crews conspired 

 secretly together, while the captain was asleep, to 

 bear up for England, and keep him confined to his 

 cabin, but he discovered the plot in time to pre- 

 vent it. They stated their reasons in writing, 

 which were these, " That if they should winter 

 between 60° and 70° lat., it would be May before 

 they could attempt any thing, and that by the 

 1st May the following year they could be in those 

 latitudes well fitted and fresh from England ; but 

 that they were willing to encounter any danger 

 inmaking discovery, either in 60° or 57° of latitude." 

 And after this, they accordingly, "one and all," bore 

 up the helme and steered to the southward. The 

 captain, however, had the resolution to punish the 

 ringleaders most severely, and only remitted a part 

 of the punishment at the intercession of Master 

 Cartwright the preacher, and of the master. Being 

 near to an island of ice, the boats were sent to load 

 some of it for fresh water, but as they were break- 



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