THE "SUPPLY IN L)ANt;ER. 233 



would probably be reclaimed for next winter's use. 

 A rough hut of drift wood had also been thrown up 

 near. 



Getting into Smith's Bay, we found the water very 

 shallow, and the beach muddy ; and after tracking 

 for a time with difficulty, started to go right across 

 the bay. The banks here were of solid ice, ten or 

 fifteen feet high, with a crust of decayed vegetable 

 matter, changed below into fine black mould. We 

 had not gone far in our run, when the wind, 

 previously strong, increased greatly ; the sea became 

 boisterous, and our boats shipped much water ; the 

 " Supply," in particular, being within an ace of 

 sinking. Part of her lading was transferred to the 

 other boats ; but they could ill bear the additional 

 weight ; and to prevent more disastrous conse- 

 quences, we were obliged to run for the shore, 

 landing in a horrid mixture of black stuff, into which 

 we sunk to the knees, the surf breaking over the 

 boats. With much labour they were cleared of 

 their contents, and hauled up, but not before every- 

 thing, including ourselves, was well drenched. 

 Particidarly cold and miserable we were ; for, in the 

 first place, there was great difficulty in pitching the 

 tents, as the pegs, when through the spongy surface, 

 which was not more than four or five inches deep, 



