570 THE GERMAN ARCTIC EXrEDITION. 



a little to tlie south. The icy cold of the water (the 

 temperature was near freezing-point) and the work of 

 the last few days had exhausted the men, and as we had 

 to be ready any moment in case our ship should be 

 threatened by the ice, no scientific work could be under- 

 taken. Soundings, too, had to be given up. In the face 

 of new difficulties the men required some rest. 



In the evening the fog drew off; the wind blew north- 

 east, with a rising barometer. This was the first time 

 since our departure from the coast that we had had a 

 clear horizon, and an open field of view around us. Only 

 to the south and south-east was there navigable water ; 

 in every other direction the ice was closely packed. 



On the 24th of August, at two a.m., we set sail with as 

 favourable a breeze from the north-north-east as we could 

 possibly wish for, and with a confident hope of being able 

 to break through the belt of ice. We worked our way 

 south, leisurely making tacks to the west, according to 

 the position of the ice, which lay so thick that we had to 

 force our way. To the east still no opening ; we must 

 go still further south. A glorious breeze came to our 

 assistance, and in five or six knots all icy difficulties were 

 victoriously overcome. At three p.m. the Germania met 

 a string of floes which showed unmistakable signs of 

 coming from the ocean, and we could distinctly hear the 

 sound of breakers. Our joy was indescribable, and we 

 thought nothing of running into the icy labyrinth at a 

 speed of seven knots. The ship groaned and quivered 

 from the force of the pressure, and the stern-post received 

 a shock, that for a moment the captain feared for the 

 timbers ; but the Germania bore it bravely. Driven by 

 the powerful pressure of the wind she bounded through, 



