98 VOYAGE TO THE POLAR SEA. August 



CHAPTER VI. 



CAPE JOHN BAEEOW — CAPE COLLINSON OPEN WATEE — CAPE CONSTI- 

 TUTION BESSELS BAT — DISCOVEEY HAEBOUE — MUSK-OXEN — SHIPS 



PAET COMPANY — CAPE BEECHET — IN THE PACK — PEEILOUS PO- 

 SITION — ESCAPE — CAPE UNION. 



During the 19th, the water-channel along shore, about 

 a quarter of a mile in breadth, remained open so long 

 as the ebb-tide lasted, the pack outside drifting to the 

 southward at an estimated rate of one and a-half 

 miles an hour. At 8 p.m., about the time of low- water, 

 a large floe threatened to block up the water-space, but 

 after a short delay the passage cleared and by 9.15 p.m., 

 we had arrived within two miles of Cape John Barrow. 

 There the ice prevented farther progress, so the ships 

 were secured to a floe locked in behind three large 

 icebergs, lying aground in twenty-two fathoms of 

 water, and affording protection against the pack. 



Although the flood-tide had commenced, the ice 

 continued to drift towards the southward, proving that 

 we had passed the neighbourhood where the two 

 ocean tides meet. While I was taking a short rest, 

 Commander Markham landed and ascended Cape John 

 Barrow to watch the movements of the ice. Captain 

 Feilden and two men accompanied him, and as the 

 movements of the ice were uncertain, they dragged 



