132 OLD WHALING DAYS. 



split ahead, which altered our position, and we drifted past 

 it. This was a most critical time for us all, and proves that 

 sailing ships are safest when holding to the fast ice. Steamers 

 can easily liberate themselves when the pack slacks, but we 

 are at the mercy of the winds and currents. 



The gale lasted twenty hours, and gradually calmed. 

 When we attempted by warping to get into a hole of water 

 which made its appearance in Malygat Strait, we made 

 little progress, as the ice was so tight. To our astonish- 

 ment a passage suddenly opened close to us, in the 

 direction of Four Island Point. The rudder was 

 immediately shipped, and the boats commenced towing 

 inshore. After four hours' work we made fast to a small 

 berg close to the land, not being able to get any further, 

 I went on shore to have a look from the hill top. 

 There was a large body of water to the northward, and no 

 vessels to be seen except the ^Eolus and Emma, belonging 

 to Hull, which were still beset. A northerly wind sprang 

 up, and a strong current began to run southward, which 

 caused the loose ice to pack upon the land, and prevented 

 us getting round the Point. Fortunately for the yEolus and 

 Emma this liberated them, and away they worked north- 

 ward with their ensigns flying. ' 



We had previously pitied them, but our situations were 

 now reversed; such is the sudden change of fortune to 

 which we are subject in this country. When ex- 

 pressing sympathy for others we may in a short time 

 need theirs. We could not move from here until the ice 

 had drifted past. A change came at last which liberated 

 us, and we set all sail and plied to the northward. 



When off Black Hook, we joined four other ships, and at 

 Upernavik we saw the other vessels about five miles north of 

 us. The weather being calm, all hands were employed 

 towing, and we got within three miles of them. They were 

 waiting for a narrow neck of ice to open. A light breeze 



