OF THE POLAR SEA. ©. 21 
now more rugged, and our view of it was termi- — 
nated by another high projecting point on: the 
starboard bow. Happily, before we had reached 
it, a light breeze enabled us to turn the ship’s 
head to seaward, and we had the gratification to 
find, when the sails were trimmed, that she drew 
off the shore.. We had made but little progress, 
however, when she was violently forced by the 
current against a large iceberg lying aground. 
Our prospect was now more alarming than at 
any preceding period; and it would be difficult 
for me to portray. the anxiety and dismay de- 
picted on the countenances of the female pas- 
sengers and children, who were rushing on deck 
in spite of the endeavours of the officers to keep 
_ them below, out of the danger which was appre- 
hended if the masts should be carried away. 
After the first concussion, the ship was driven 
“along the steep and rugged side of this iceberg 
with such amazing rapidity, that the destruction 
of the masts seemed inevitable, and. every one 
expected we should again be forced on the rocks 
in the most disabled state ; but we providentially 
escaped this perilous result, which must have 
been decisive. 
The dense fog now cleared away for a short 
time, and we discoyered the Eddystone close to 
te 
