76 THE WHALEMAN; OR, 



sort were not probably far distant. They there- 

 fore returned immediately to the tent to inform 

 their companions, and to make particular ar- 

 rangements for more extended researches. The 

 western party also returned to the tent soon after 

 the other, having made no very definite dis- 

 coveries. 



We became satisfied at this time, from the di- 

 rection of the coast, and the- general aspect of 

 the country, that we were north of East Cape ; 

 but how far distant from it, we had no means of 

 determining. It was likewise a matter of equal 

 uncertainty whether we were east or west of 

 East River. If we were west of this river, the 

 prospect of our liberation the coming winter, or 

 of meeting with any friendly sail, was extremely 

 small. If, however, we were east of the river, we 

 had strong hopes of deliverance before the win- 

 ter should fairly set in, and that we should be 

 able to reach East Cape in season to intercept 

 some ship bound out of the ocean. 



Thus we reasoned upon and discussed those 

 matters which pertained to our speedy deliver- 

 ance, or our bondage for months to come in the 

 dreadful and merciless winter of the polar region ; 

 or it may be that no one of our number would 

 escape to tell the wreck of the ship, and the 



