106 FAVOURABLE PROSPECTS. 



towards one of these channels, which he entered 

 in the most determined manner, spreading every 

 sail his masts would bear, in which he was most 

 cheerfully followed by the enterprising com- 

 mander of his consort, and to the great joy of all 

 on board. However unfavourable might have 

 been the prognostications of success entertained 

 the evening before, the nattering prospect now 

 before us, and the resolute conduct of our com- 

 modore, entirely removed them, and we at length 

 cherished an expectation which everything pro- 

 mised fair to realise. 



The ships continued to advance rapidly along 

 the narrow channels between the floes, trimming 

 their sails at each turn of the canal, and receiv- 

 ing occasional assistance from a light line cast 

 to a few active men upon the ice, whose ex- 

 ertions were at one time necessary in order to 

 check the bow or quarter of the vessel, and 

 otherwise assist the helm when the turnings of 

 the channel were abrupt ; at others, to pre- 

 vent the vessel falling to leeward when her way 

 had been deadened by the resistance of some 

 heavy piece of ice which she had encountered 

 in her path. A proficient in the art of marine 

 drawing might here have found a beautiful sub- 

 ject for his pencil. The endless and ever-vary- 

 ing forms of the ice ; the glassy smooth canals 



