74 THE WHALEMAN ; OR, 



Therefore, our first object was, if possible, to 

 ascertain our true position. The thick, foggy, 

 and stormy weather which had prevailed for 

 many days before the wreck, contributed greatly 

 to mislead us. Neither sun, moon, nor stars had 

 appeared for some time, by which we might have 

 been guided in our course through the trackless 

 deep. All above us had been shrouded with 

 dense clouds, while strong and variable winds, 

 approaching to the severity of tornadoes, and 

 even hurricanes, had carried our ship far out and 

 beyond her true course. 



The last, and not the least perhaps, of the 

 causes which resulted in our wreck, was the cur- 

 rent, which appeared to change its course during 

 the storm, as it not unfrequently does. At this 

 time, it set from the eastern to the western shore 

 of the Arctic. Under the combined influence of 

 the current coming from the north and east, and 

 a severe gale of wind, accompanied with hail, 

 rain, and fog, our ship was constantly pressed 

 upon the western shore, until she struck and went 

 to pieces. 



Two companies were now formed, one to take 

 an easterly course, and the other a westerly 

 one. Those who were left behind were to be 

 employed in making sacks out of canvas, for 

 the purpose of carrying bread and other provis- 



