434 VOYAGE TO THE 



C xil tne * ce - We found that, if we could cut the boat 

 -"v— ' through about a quarter of a mile of ice, we should 

 of the get into about double that distance of clear water, 

 Barge ' and returned on board with the determination to 

 accomplish this. Having got the boat afloat, we 

 began our arduous task of cutting and hauling her 

 through the ice. The natives, seeing us thus em- 

 ployed, very kindly came (unasked) and lent their 

 assistance. We persevered in our labours till half 

 past three, by which time we had moved the boat 

 a mile and a half south of her former position. 

 Another and more formidable barrier was now op- 

 posed to us, consisting of extensive pieces of ice 

 aground, closely wedged together by smaller masses, 

 under which we anchored. After dinner Mr. Elson 

 and myself again visited the cliffs, and thought we 

 could perceive a zigzag channel which afforded a 

 hope of liberation, provided we could force her 

 through the present obstacle. Immediately we got 

 on board, we commenced cutting a passage ; but 

 had no sooner made an opening, than it was filled 

 by the current drifting smaller pieces of ice down. 

 These we for some time kept cutting and clearing 

 away ; but after two hours and a half of hard work, 

 we found our exertions endless, and relinquished 

 the attempt. In the evening the wind veered to the 

 S. E. and the breeze, though light from this quar- 

 ter, put some of the smaller pieces of ice in motion 

 off the land. We remained up till midnight, al- 

 though fatigued with the toils of the day, and the 

 wind having increased to a fresh breeze, had the 

 consolation to witness the moving of several of the 

 larger pieces. The collision that now took place, 

 owing to the shift of wind (the ice in the offing still 



