IN FOULKE FJORD. 



29 



Being still early in the year, we were in hopes that there was a 

 chance that the ice might yet slacken, and so enable us to proceed 

 to Kane Basin ; but when the wind went down the whole mass of 

 the pack-ice began slowly to drift inland, though without slacken- 

 ing, and there was, therefore, no possibility of further advance. 

 Not many hours afterwards, we were obliged to weigh anchor to 

 avoid being pressed ashore by the ice, and subsequently we 



A QUIETED BEAR. 



anchored again, in Eutherford Bay. From here, too, after the 

 lapse of a few hours, we were obliged to take a hasty departure, 

 and at last found a safer place of anchorage in the northern part 

 of Eice Strait. The drift landward ceased a day later, and we then 

 steamed out to find a mooring in the ice north of Cocked Hat 

 Island. We knew that we should have a good view from there, 

 and be able to keep a look-out for the slackening of the ice, which 

 was better for us than being in harbour. No movement of the 

 ice occurred, however ; and day after day it lay as closely packed 

 as ever, entirely cutting off our progress. 



