254 NIGHT ON THE ICE. 



considerable labour in pulling and pushing through 

 the ice, brought us to a clear though narrow lane of 

 water, close to the beach. We saw here, I think, 

 more ice than at any other period during our journey ; 

 as far as the eye could range to seaward, nought else 

 was visible, and all varieties were presented — the brash, 

 or broken-up ice ; the floe, smooth and flat, and often 

 many acres in extent ; and the tall ragged hummocks, 

 of picturesque outline, bergs in miniature. Frequent 

 loud reports broke upon the stillness, and startled the 

 ear, as masses rent asunder ; the sounds, with their 

 reverberating echoes, resembling the rumbling of far- 

 ofl" thunder, or booming of distant cannon. 



We were unable to reach the beach this evening, 

 owing to the shallowness of the water, and secured to 

 a grounded floe with the faithful pickaxe, which 

 had deservedly received promotion to an acting-order 

 as anchor. Having hauled the boats close together, 

 the sails were spread above, the kitchen was estab- 

 lished upon the ice, and we reposed with sufficient 

 comfort imtil rudely disturbed by an under-tongue of 

 ice ; which breaking away, floated up under the 

 boats, lifted them out of the water, and threw them 

 on their broadsides. With some difficulty we got rid 

 of the unwelcome intruder, and soon snoozed again. 

 It cost little trouble to raise camp next morning, and 



