78 CONQUERING THE ARCTIC ICE 



was plenty of water north and east of Herschel Island. The 

 people on the Gjoa are feeling well and happy, and no wonder, 

 as they are going out after a successful trip. Some letters we 

 had brought for Lieutenant Hansen were very welcome, and 

 we spent a pleasant evening together, first on the Gjoa, and, 

 later, on board the Duchess of Bedford. 



Some of the officers from the Revenue Cutter and Mr. Brawer 

 came on board and stayed until late in the evening. Well, 

 when a ship can come out the ice must be somewhat open, 

 and if we only get a fair wind we will get in too. 



Wednesday, August 22. We had made up our minds to force 

 our way eastward, and weighed anchor at 9 A.M., but as after 

 four tacks we lost 400 yards, we anchored as near to our old 

 place as possible. Towards nightfall we went down to the 

 Thetis in one of our boats to see what could be done. Captain 

 Hamlet was willing to tow us as far as the ice would let him 

 go, but we agreed that it was no use trying yet, with this wind 

 and heavy ice. While on board the Thetis we saw two whalers 

 coming in, and as Captain Hamlet wished to get on board of 

 one, he weighed anchor and steamed up there, while we went 

 with him, glad to escape rowing about eight miles against the 

 current. 



Hicky, whom I had with me, got a cold bath as he tried to 

 crawl down the mast of our small boat shortly after the Thetis 

 had anchored alongside our vessel. The boat had no ballast 

 in it, and he was promptly dumped out into the water, to the 

 great amusement of the crew of the Thetis and the more qualified 

 pleasure of poor Hicky himself. 



The two whalers who had come through the ice told us that 

 it was no use trying at the present moment, for we would never 

 be able to get through as long as the wind and current lasted. 



The Gjoa left early in the evening, and we passed them 

 coming up with the Thetis. I sent my remembrances to my 

 people at home by Lieutenant Hansen. It will interest them 

 to hear something more about us than can be gathered from 

 the rather uninteresting letters we feel inclined to write. 



Thursday, August 23. Went over to the Thetis to say good- 

 bye, as we were going to try again. Captain Hamlet promised 

 to tow us round the Cape if we failed to beat up. He has been 

 exceedingly kind and has helped us in many ways. 



