AND REMEDIED. 71 



for the leak having scarcely shown itself before 

 the brig quitted the river, by supposing the hole 

 to have been partly pitched over, a covering 

 which, of course, very soon washed away at sea. 

 By this fortunate discovery we were able in a 

 few minutes to apply an effectual remedy, and 

 to partake of the satisfaction arising from finding 

 ourselves in as tight and safe a vessel as we could 

 wish — a satisfaction which, I am sure, the reader 

 will fully appreciate. 



On the 13th, an officer of the Dorothea ob- 

 tained permission to proceed with a few seamen 

 over the ice to the shore, which was distant 

 about three or four miles from the ships — a jour- 

 ney which, whilst the day was fine and the breeze 

 light, seemed to be of very easy accomplishment. 

 Early in the afternoon he set out with his party, 

 and commenced his excursion pleasantly enough, 

 travelling at a good rate and surmounting every 

 obstacle. Scarcely, however, had he reached half 

 way to the shore when the appearance of a 

 fog in the horizon induced the prudent part of 

 his companions to return to the ships, and, shortly 

 afterwards, obliged the remainder to desist from 

 proceeding further. 



The fog approached quicker than was expected, 

 and soon obscured every distant object ; so that 



