CROSSING THE NELSON. 233 



the boat, and by a united effort managed to drag it out 

 to the edge of the shore-ice, but the tide being low there 

 was no water to float it. We therefore had to await the 

 flood-tide, which would not be up till about noon. Mean- 

 while the boat was loaded where it rested upon the 

 sand, and at twelve o'clock, being lifted by the water, a 

 canvas was hoisted, and through a dense fog which rose 

 from the river we sailed up the shore to find a narrow 

 part of the stream and avoid the broad shoals which 

 extended out from the opposite shore. 



Having proceeded some three miles up, to the vicinity 

 of Flamboro' Head, a bold headland, our course was 

 altered and we steered into the fog for the south shore 

 about two miles distant. The wind was piercingly 

 cold, instantly freezing every splash as it fell, and still 

 blowing fresh, so that our ice-laden craft sped swiftly 

 away on her course. Some floating ice was met, but 

 successfully passed, and for a time it seemed as if the 

 crossing would soon be effected ; but suddenly there 

 loomed out of the mist right ahead a dense field of ice, 

 broken and rafted and hurrying down with the current. 

 By putting the helm hard to starboard, and quickly 

 dropping our canvas, we managed to keep clear of the 

 mass ; but what was now to be done ? 



The south shore was still hidden by dense volumes of 

 vapor, and nothing could be seen in that direction but 

 the adjacent fields of ice. On the north shore the dark 

 outline of Flamboro' Head could still be discerned, and 

 it was resolved thence to beat our retreat. We were, 

 however, unable to sail against the wind, but taking to 

 the oars we managed, after a prolonged and difficult 

 struggle, to regain the place whence we had started. 



