742 THE VOYAGE OF THE JEANNETTE. 



rected to do nothing beyond steering the second cut- 

 ter. 



We had, I think, by supper time entirely got clear of 

 the sand bank, for the water was bolder, and we stood 

 along in shore without difficulty. The cliffs made the 

 dividing line, and now, instead of the low, sandy beaches 

 with distant background of hills, we came to stretches 

 of candle-snuffer hills like our land at Faddejew Island. 

 These curious looking dirt-hills are in places seen back 

 from the coast line. In no place yet had I seen land 

 one hundred feet in height at or near the sea-shore. 

 Mr. Collins saw seeming excavations. 



At eight got under way again, and proceeded until 

 9.45 p. m., when, having made three miles, ran in and 

 camped. I consider thirteen miles to represent to-day's 

 work. 



September 7th, Wednesday. — Called all hands at five. 

 Breakfasted at six. Wind E. N. E. Temperature 24°. 

 Under way 7.12. About Barencap 9.12, took departure 

 at 10.30 and met big floe. Went to southeast to clear 

 it, but failed ; went to north northwest and succeeded. 

 Filled away again on course S. W. by W. (true). Wind 

 freshening. Ice streaming off before the wind. At 

 11.05 Melville called out he was leaking more than the 

 pumps could keep free. Ran alongside a floating ice- 

 cake all boats, and hauled out whaleboat. No leak, 

 plug was knocked out in coming through the ice chan- 

 nel six and three fourths fathoms (Barencap distant 

 about five miles). At 12.10 slipped from ice-cake and 

 proceeded, having cooked dinner in the mean time. At 

 1.45 double-reefed my sail, as I was leaving second 

 cutter out of sight. At 2.30 turned out one reef. 

 Strong* E. N. E. wind. Boats i>*oino* five to six knots. 

 Heavy sea. Boats very wet. Pump and bail all the 



