CHAPTER XIII. 



Across Hudson's Bay. 



fighting the ice at nottingham — an unsuccessful attempt to 

 find a harbor on mansfield island — also on southampton 

 island — a pleasant voyage — singular formation — arrived 

 at marble island. 



In the placid inter-ocean's swell, 



Where the black whale blows, and the porpoise dwell. 



THURSDAY, the 28th, was fine and warm. The buildings of 

 the station at Nottingham were almost completed, and as it 

 was evident that the work of putting in the new propeller 

 would be finished before nightfall, Lieutenant Gordon 

 announced that the Neptune would weigh anchor and commence to 

 battle with the ice at daybreak on the following morning. But 

 little or no change had taken place in the ice between Sunday and 

 Thursday, so far as we could see. The sea in every direction, as 

 far as a glass would carry our vision, was entirely covered, except an 

 occasional dark streak, indicating open water. However all the 

 vessels, except the schooner, had succeeded in passing out of our 

 sight, toward the bay. There were four visible on Wednesday, 

 but on Thursday evening only one, and that one had succeeded in 

 making her way until she appeared no larger than a mere spec on 

 the horizon. 



Friday, the 29th, came bright and fair, but the Neptune was 

 not gotten under way until nine o'clock, owing to the fact that her 

 anchors were embedded in the blue glue-like clay at the bottom of 

 the harbour, and occupied the men several hours in weighing them. 

 Mr. C. V. de Boucherville and his men, Messrs. W. F. Esdaile and 

 Andrew D. Inglis, left the ship in their boats, followed by the cheers 



