568 THE GEEMAN ARCTIC EXPEDITION. 



more attempt to work our way out of the ice by steam. 

 But in a very short time, the boiler refused its services ; 

 and the Captain found that all further progress by steam 

 was at an end, and that the remainder of the voyage must 

 be made under sail. At this time, however, there was so 

 little wind, that the seemingly unmanageable ship soon 

 drifted against a large floe, where we lay under all sail. 

 It was still very foggy, but the sun shone through, so 

 that we could take our observations, which gave us 

 as usual S.S.W., with ten nautical miles for the day's 

 run ; whilst, when nearer the coast, they placed us more 

 towards the east. 



In the afternoon we tried with a light southerly breeze 

 to sail further, but again struck upon thick ice, and on 

 account of the fog were obliged to anchor. In the night 

 the south-east wind rose to a storm ; the ice began to 

 move, which greatly incommoded us, for several blocks 

 were driven by the wind against our field, subjecting us 

 to great pressure. Indeed, at about two a.m., some large 

 floes threatened to crush us. We were obliged to run 

 for it, and tried to pull round to the north-west point 

 of our field, on the lee side of which we should find 

 more protection from the advancing ice. After great 

 exertions we succeeded in placing the ship in safety in 

 a bend in the ice-field, where it was made fast with strong 

 ropes, and the men then took a few hours' rest. In the 

 meanwhile the ice pushed itself closer together, so that 

 we feared being blockaded in ; and yet nothing remained 

 for us but to wait patiently, and see what fate would 

 bring us. To set sail in the storm and fog would have 

 been still more dangerous. 



On the morning of the following day the atmosphere 



