TO THE ARCTIC REGIONS. 131 
the morning, the ice was again observed to be 
moving to the westward ; every necessary precaution 
was immediately taken, to secure the ships in such a 
manner as to be protected as much as possible, by 
the hummock or pile of ice so often described. 
These measures had the desired effect with us; 
but the Griper was again less fortunate, for about 
half past eight o’clock the edge of one of the floes 
that were passing at the time having come against 
her, she was forced in a few minutes aground on the 
beach ; happily, however, it happened to be low 
water at the time, so that when the tide flowed, she 
got off without sustaining any damage. But her 
situation for some time was certainly critical, for 
when she heeled over, there was only six feet water 
on that side next the shore, but the beach happened 
very luckily to consist of sand, so that no injury was 
occasioned by it. 
The wind being from the northward and eastward, 
and blowing pretty fresh all day, has cleared the 
immediate neighbourhood of the coast of ice, so that 
I am in hopes that the first slant of fair wind we 
have will enable us to get on. Every day, indeed, 
tends to show the necessity of proceeding as quickly 
as possible to some place of security, for the weather 
of late has been, I may almost say, constantly cold, 
and boisterous; and the drift snow that comes off 
from the land, gives the whole scene a dreary aspect. 
A musk ox was noticed last night going along the 
beach, and two or three covies of grous have been 
seen at different times from the ships; but at present 
something of greater moment than going after them, 
employs every one’s attention. 
K 2 
