504 THE PROGRESS OF MARITIME DISCOVERY. 
of the expedition; but Ross, though slowly, moved on, so that 
about the middle of September the map of the northern regions 
wag enriched by some 500 miles of newly discovered coast. But 
now winter broke in with all its Arctic severity, and the “ Victory” 
was obliged to seek refuge in Felix Harbour, where the useless 
steam-engine was thrown overboard as a nuisance, and the usual 
preparations made for spending the cold season as agreeably as 
possible. 
The following spring, from the 17th of May to the 13th of 
June, was employed by James Ross on a sledge journey, which 
led to the discovery of King William’s Sound and King William’s 
Land; and during which that courageous mariner penetrated so 
far to the west, that he had only ten days’ provisions, scantily 
measured out, for a return voyage of 200 miles through an 
empty wilderness. 
After an imprisonment of full twelve months the “ Victory” was 
set free on the 17th of September, 1830, and proceeded once 
more on her discoveries. But the period of her liberty was 
short indeed, short like that of revolted slaves between two des- 
potisms ; for, after advancing three miles in one continual battle 
against the currents and the drift-ice, she again froze fast on the 
27th of the same month. 
In the following spring we again see the indefatigable James 
Ross, ever active in the cause of science, extending the circle ot 
his excursions and planting the British flag upon the site of the 
Northern Magnetic Pole, which, however, is not invariably fixed 
to one spot, as was then believed, but moves from place to place 
within the glacial zone. 
On the 28th of August, 1831, the “ Victory,” after a second 
imprisonment of eleven months, was warped into open water, 
and, after having spent a whole month to advance four English 
miles, was again enclosed by the ice on the 27th of September. 
But seven miles in two long years! According to this measure, 
there was but little hope indeed of ever seeing Old England again : 
the only chance left was to abandon the vessel, and endeavour 
by means of the boats left among the “ Fury’s” stores to reach 
Baffin’s Bay, and get a homeward passage in some whaler. 
Accordingly the colours were nailed to the mast-head of the 
*‘ Victory,” and then officers and crew took leave of the ill-fated 
little vessel, on the 23rd of April, 1832. Captain Ross was deeply 
