PACIFIC AND BEERING'S STRAIT. 377 



from its position when seen in the morning, there xl 

 was much reason to suppose would be near the ex- v -^—-' 

 treme point of land in view from the mast-head. Un- 1826. ' 

 fortunately, while we were doing this, the wind fell 

 light, and gradually drew round to the north-west- 

 ward ; and apprehending it might get so far in that 

 direction as to embay the ship between the land and 

 the ice, it became my duty to consider the propriety 

 of awaiting the result of such a change ; knowing 

 the necessity of keeping the ship in open water, and 

 at all times, as far as could be done, free from risk, 

 in order to insure her return to the rendezvous in 

 Kotzebue Sound. There was at this time no ice in 

 sight from the ship except a berg that was aground 

 in-shore of her ; and though a blink round the 

 northern horizon indicated ice in that direction, yet 

 the prospect was so flattering that a general regret 

 was entertained that an attempt to effect the north- 

 eastern passage did not form the object of the expe- 

 dition. We all felt the greatest desire to advance, 

 but considering what would be the consequences of 

 any accident befalling the ship, which might either 

 oblige her to quit these seas at once, or prevent her 

 returning to them a second year, it was evident that 

 by her being kept in open water was paramount to 

 every other consideration ; particularly as she had 

 been furnished with a decked launch, well adapted 

 by her size to prosecute a service of this nature. It 

 was one of those critical situations in which an 

 officer is sometimes unavoidably placed, and had 

 further discovery depended upon the Blossom alone, 

 it is probable I should have proceeded at all hazards. 

 My orders, however, being positive to avoid the 

 chance of being beset in the ship, I considered only 



