OF PART OF THE CREW. 73 



a work which it required no ordinary exertion to 

 execute. Indeed, the getting from one piece to 

 the other was, throughout, by no means the 

 least hazardous part of their journey ; the diffi- 

 culties too were much increased, and many ac- 

 cidents occurred, through that hurry, and anxiety 

 to overcome them speedily, which occasioned 

 the neglect of many precautions, that leisure 

 had before enabled them to observe, in order 

 to ensure their safety. Some fell into the 

 water, and were with difficulty preserved from 

 drowning by their companions ; while others, 

 afraid to make any hazardous attempt what- 

 ever, were left upon pieces of ice, and drifted 

 about at the mercy of the winds and tides. 

 Foreseeing the probability of a separation, they 

 took the first opportunity of dividing, in equal 

 shares, the small quantity of provision which 

 they had remaining, as also their stock of powder 

 and ammunition. They also took it in turns 

 to fire muskets, in the hope of being heard 

 from the ships, which they knew would return 

 the fire, and that they would thus at least learn 

 in what direction to proceed, even though it 

 might be impracticable to derive assistance from 

 them. These discharges were distinctly heard 

 on board ; but it is a remarkable fact that, al- 

 though they were answered by volleys of mus- 



