PACIFIC AND BEERING'S STRAIT. 435 



holding its former course, whilst that in-shore was C J AP - 

 opposed to it), occasioned a grinding noise not un- y *~~y^~> 

 like to that of a heavy roaring surf. Having fully f^ r e llve 

 satisfied ourselves of the departure of the ice, if the Barge * 

 wind should hold its present direction and force, we re- 

 tired to rest, anxiously waiting the following morning. 

 Monday, 28th Aug. Rising early, we had the 

 great satisfaction to see that the formidable barrier 

 which yesterday afternoon had been proof against 

 our attempts, had nearly all drifted to sea, and that 

 the coast, as far as we could discern, was fast clear- 

 ing of ice. The wind blew strong at S. S. E. ; and 

 every preparation being made for weighing, after 

 a hasty breakfast the anchor was got up, and our 

 little vessel again bounded through the waters. 

 Our tacking now was very uncertain, as in some 

 places the ice still remained thick, and obliged us 

 to perform that evolution twice or thrice in the 

 space of a few minutes ; and as we made it a rule 

 not to bear up for any thing, we had some close 

 rubs. By two p. M. we could see the southern 

 termination of the main body of ice. There were 

 still a number of large pieces aground, and much 

 drift about us ; the current setting to the north- 

 ward at the rate of a mile and a half an hour. At 

 three the wind fell light. A heavy swell from the 

 S. W. occasioned a furious surf along the beach, and 

 obliged us to keep well out to sea. The ice still 

 extending far to windward made our situation very 

 critical should the wind blow hard from the S. W. 

 It now fell calm, with heavy clouds in the S. W. ; 

 and being in want of water, we procured a supply 

 from the bergs that were near us. We watched 

 every cloud with the greatest anxiety, and at eight 



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