126 SITUATION IMPROVED. 



some of our expertest seamen gained the fore- 

 topsail-yard for this purpose, and let a reef out 

 of the sail, while the jib was dragged half way 

 up its stay by means of the windlass. This 

 additional pressure upon the fore part of the 

 vessel happily succeeded beyond our expecta- 

 tions. The brig came into the desired position, 

 and with the aid of an enormous mass under the 

 stern, she split a small field of ice, fourteen feet 

 in thickness, which had hitherto impeded her 

 progress, and effected a passage for herself be- 

 tween the pieces. 



The situation of the vessel was now greatly 

 improved, so much so that, by carefully placing 

 the fenders, particularly the walrus hides, be- 

 tween the ice and her sides, the strokes were so 

 much diminished that we had scarcely any doubt 

 of saving her, provided the gale did not last 

 long. How often and anxiously did we at this 

 time turn our telescopes in the direction in 

 which we had last seen our consort ; for although 

 conscious that neither could render the other any 

 immediate assistance, yet it would have been a 

 great consolation to have known that she was 

 still afloat, and that in the event of the worst 

 happening to one, there was yet a remote chance 

 of ultimate relief from the other vessel. But 

 between the Dorothea and ourselves there was 



