54 ICE-BOUND ON KOLGUEV 



upon it ; we had our little craft all safe so far ; and on 

 board of her our nets, dredging and collecting gear, our 

 instruments, and all that we could require for a proper 

 diagnosis of this new land. We had everything but the 

 one without which all the rest would go for nothing. 

 In a word, we had no harbour. 



Those who can follow this out to the extreme of its 

 bearing will understand me when I say that the situa- 

 tion, dull as it must read, was interesting enough for us. 



The tide ran stronger. We waited loner about the 

 river-mouth before we could find it wise to venture out, 

 and when at last we pulled out with might and main we 

 had much wary nursing of our little boat before we could 

 take a wave safe enough to carry us over this critical 

 place. We shipped much water, but we got through. 



The boat had to go again for water, and coming out 

 was all but swamped. Indeed, seen from on deck, she 

 seemed once to have really gone, so greatly was she 

 buried in a wave which broke upon her. The greatest 

 credit was due to those fine fellows who brought her 

 through. 



At noon ice came down to us from the north. It 

 threatened to close us in. There was no help for it ; 

 we must steam again. 



Off we steamed, and away down the land. It 

 was beautifully clear, with a growing breeze from the 

 north. By 4 p.m. this had strengthened to a stiff wind. 

 We then set sail — our big square sail for the first time — 



