1904] THE < DISCOVERY' FREE 261 



in another minute there was a creaking aft and our stern rose 

 with a jump as the keel was freed from the ice which had held 

 it down. Then, as the great mass of ice on our port hand 

 slowly glided out to sea our good ship swung gently round and 

 lay peacefully riding to her anchors with the blue water lapping 

 against her sides.' 



Thus it was that after she had afforded us shelter and com- 

 fort for two full years, and after we had borne a heavy burden 

 of anxiety on her behalf, our good ship was spared to take us 

 homeward. On February 16, 1904, the 'Discovery ' came to 

 her own again— the right to ride the high seas. 



