336 THE LIFE OF E. J. PECK 



(measuring some nine feet) was hauled up on the floe, 

 cut up, and with a bountiful supply of meat we 

 proceeded on our way. After dinner some of the 

 bear s flesh formed one of the courses we tried 

 to get on. But we had not gone far when the ice 

 closed in upon us, so we had to beat a hasty retreat. 

 We finally managed to reach a rock island, where 

 we camped.&quot; 



&quot; Friday, July n. Fog cleared up. We moved 

 on and came to a point of land with a small passage 

 between it and the ice. We pulled with all our might 

 to get through. We failed. The ice drove on to 

 the point with a crushing grinding noise. Pile 

 after pile of this was heaped on the shore. We 

 backed out in quick time. It was well we did so. 

 Our boat would have been crushed like a match-box 

 had we been in the embrace of that icy mass. 

 Now we had a lively time. Everything had to be 

 taken out of the boat and carried to the open water 

 beyond the point. We all carried what we could. 

 Then we had a little breathing time. Now for the 

 boat. With might and will we hauled it up on the 

 ice. A lot of shouting and shoving and the boat 

 was on the other side. She was launched and loaded 

 and away we went again. It was now 10 p.m., 

 so we managed to get ashore near some high rocks. 

 Here we had supper. An opening in the ice gave 

 us new hope and courage. We determined to go on. 

 We started towards midnight.&quot; 



