64 RELEASE. 



would have been next to impossible to rescue any 

 person from the confused moving mass of brash 

 ice, which covered the sea in every direction. 



With much difficulty we effected our labori- 

 ous task; until we were fortunately spared the 

 anticipated collision by the brash ice becoming 

 thicker as we proceeded, and at length quite 

 impenetrable, so that the brig by this means 

 was kept at a distance of about a hundred 

 yards from the heaviest pieces. Thus situated, we 

 passed the night in the greatest anxiety, at one 

 time fancying the distance between the ice 

 and the vessel was diminishing, and at another 

 that it was somewhat increased, and only ear- 

 nestly hoping throughout, that a breeze would 

 spring up from the northward, and release us 

 from our perilous position. 



The attention of the seamen was in some 

 degree diverted from the contemplation of this 

 scene of difficulty by the necessity of employ- 

 ing them all at the pump ; for the leak was by 

 no means diminished, and the duties of the 

 day having called them from this occupation, a 

 considerable quantity of water had by this time 

 found its way to the well. 



Towards morning, our hopes of a breeze off 

 the ice were realized, and by seven o'clock we 

 had the satisfaction to get quite clear of the 



