HISTORY OF THE WHALE. 105 



boat, were objections which would have appeared insur- 

 mountable to any but men in a state of despair. Judg- 

 ing that, by remaining on the ice, death was but retarded 

 for a few hours, as the extreme cold must eventually be- 

 numb their faculties, they determined to make the attempt 

 of rowing to the ship. Poor souls ! What must have been 

 their sensations at this moment ? They made the daring 

 experiment, when a few minutes trial convinced them that 

 the attempt was impracticable. They then, with longing 

 eyes, turned their efforts towards recovering the ice which 

 they had left ; but their utmost exertions proved unavail- 

 ing. Every one of them now considered his dopm as sealed : 

 how great then must have been their delight, and how 

 overpowering their sensations, when, at this critical junc- 

 ture, a ship appeared in sight. She was advancing directly 

 towards them : their voices were extended, and their flag 

 displayed : though not heard, they were seen ; and their 

 mutual courses being so directed as to form the speediest 

 union, a few minutes saw them on the deck of the Lively. 

 But we must draw these interesting anecdotes to a close, 

 and we shall do so by epitomizing a narrative from the 

 Journal of Mr. Gibson, surgeon of the Trafalgar, which 

 especially illustrates the great and numerous dangers 

 which arise from icebergs, or more properly ice-islands. 

 "August 12th, 1822, four, p. M. Blowing a fresh gale with 

 rain ; the floe to which the ship was made fast set down 

 under the lee-ice, so as to render our situation perilous. 

 Towards midnight we became unexpectedly entangled 

 among heavy pieces of ice and floes, where the ship re- 

 ceived some severe blows on her beams, Finding it im- 

 possible to get out, we lay to, and in half an hour the ship 

 was close beset. Though I had retired to bed when the 

 ship was enclosed, I expected every minute to be called to 

 quit the ship. About three, A. M., a large piece of ice 

 pressing on the ship opposite my bed-cabin, broke two or 

 three timbers with a dreadful noise. Thinking all was 



