PACIFIC AND BEERING'S STRAIT. 437 



of the bight, lest the ice (which experience had now chap. 

 taught us was quick in its motion) might again v-^v-w 

 enclose us. The weather continued very unsettled ^* t J atiye 

 during the night. Barge- 



Wednesday, 30th Aug. Having rounded the 

 point, we ran fifty miles on a S. W. course. The 

 wind then suddenly shifted to the S. W., and blew 

 very strong. We shortened sail to the close-reefed 

 mainsail and storm-jib, and stood off and on shore. 

 In the evening we had showers of snow and sleet, 

 and at midnight strong gales with squalls of snow. 



Thursday, 31st Aug. At two a. m. a heavy squall 

 came on which split the mainsail, and a little before 

 four the staysail shared the same fate. Towards the 

 morning the weather was more moderate, accompa- 

 nied with rain. Shortly after eight the wind sud- 

 denly veered to W. N. W. and blew strong. Set the 

 close-reefed foresail, and furled the other sails, steering 

 S. S. W. Noon, more moderate. Latitude observed 

 70° 23' N. The remainder of the day was fine. 



Friday, 1st Sept. Our stock of wood and water 

 being expended, we hauled towards the land and 

 made all sail ; but as we drew in, the wind gradually 

 decreased in strength, and before we obtained sight 

 of the land it was almost calm. The breeze, how- 

 ever, again favoured us, and about sunset we reached 

 within a short distance of the shore, on that part 

 where the high land recedes from the coast. The 

 boat was soon despatched to procure what we want- 

 ed ; but in our thirsty moments we did not perceive 

 that the pool from which we procured the water was 

 brackish ; having however filled our casks with it, 

 and obtained some fuel, we again put to sea, with 

 the wind from the southward. 



