334 THE LIFE OF E. J. PECK 



an opening in the ice, but we were nearly shut in by 

 large masses moving in different directions. Tried 

 again in the evening, and after a lot of shoving, 

 grinding and not a little nerve-shaking experience, 

 we got safely across to the land we had in view. 

 We thank God for His preserving care. This 

 voyaging in a frail boat in the midst of moving 

 masses of ice ranging from six to twenty feet thick 

 is enough at times to try the stoutest heart.'* 



" Saturday, June 8. Made a number of dashes 

 through open lanes of water which we found near 

 the shore. In the evening tried to find a suitable 

 place on the land where we could spend the Sabbath. 

 We finally found a spot about forty feet above the 

 level of the sea." 



" Monday, June 30. Tried to move on. Had to 

 shove large blocks of ice out of our way. Went 

 on for about two miles, and then came to a stand 

 still. A large expanse of ice which had not been 

 loosened from the shore stood in our way. Camped 

 on this." 



" Tuesday, July i. Still shut in with ice. How 

 unlike July ! We are not in want of food, thank 

 God. One of the men shot a seal to-day ; we have 

 also shot quite a number of eider ducks ; neither 

 of these is over palatable, but they make a change 

 in our diet." 



"Wednesday, July 2. Could not move. Here we 

 are fast in the ice, but safe in the hands of our God. 



