302 ARCTIC VOYAGES. Chap. IX. 



" It had, for some time past, been too evident that the 

 nature of the ice with which we had to contend was such, 

 and its drift to the southward, especially with a northerly 

 wind, so great, as to put beyond our reach anything but a 

 very moderate share of success in travelling to the north- 

 ward. Still, however, we had been anxious to reach the 

 highest latitude which our means would allow, and with this 

 view, although our whole object had long become unattain- 

 able, had pushed on to the northward for thirty-five days, 

 or until half our resources were expended, and the middle 

 of our season arrived. For the last few days the eighty- 

 third parallel was the limit to which we had ventured to 

 extend our hopes ; but even this expectation had become 

 considerably weakened since the setting in of the last north- 

 erly wind, which continued to drive us to the southward 

 during the necessary hours of rest, nearly as much as we 

 could gain by eleven or twelve hours of daily labour. Had 

 our success been at all proportionate to our exertions, it was 

 my full intention to have proceeded a few days beyond the 

 middle of the period for which we were provided, trusting to 

 the resources we expected to find at Table Island. But 

 this was so far from being the case, that I could not but 

 consider it as incurring useless fatigue to the officers and 

 men, and unnecessary wear and tear for the boats, to per- 

 severe any longer in the attempt. I determined, therefore, 

 on giving the people one entire day's rest, which they very 

 much needed, and time to wash and mend their clothes, 

 while the officers were occupied in making all the observa- 

 tions which might be interesting in this latitude ; and 

 then to set out on our return on the following day. Hav- 

 ing communicated my intentions to the people, who were 

 all much disappointed in finding how little their labours 

 had effected, we set about our respective occupations, and 

 were much favoured by a remarkably fine day." — pp. 102, 

 104. 



