On the Look-out for a " Lead." Ill 



afternoon, a couple of bears, who, however, evaded 

 our futile attempts to make a capture. It is sur- 

 prising to witness the wonderful speed and celerity 

 at which these animals journey over the snow and 

 ice, scampering away as if the surface was as 

 smooth and level as a bowling-green. 



At five in the afternoon, snow commenced fall- 

 ing heavily, obliging us again to make fast to a 

 floe. Clearing up slightly at about half-past six, 

 our skipper, who is determined not to allow the 

 grass to grow under his feet, weighed and stood 

 away along the edge of the floe on the look-out 

 for a " lead." 



At eight, after passing through an immense 

 quantity of loose pack, we came out into a large 

 open water, where we felt a considerable swell, so 

 much so that the boats at the davits had to be 

 belted to and freshly secured. Can this be the 

 North Water ? Are we really clear of the whaler's 

 bugbear, Melville Bay ? The attainment of such 

 a desirable object seems almost too good to be true. 



The weather is still very thick, accompanied by 

 a driving sleet and snow, with a fresh " strong-ale 

 wind." This, however,, if we are clear of the bay, 

 is no detriment to us. The "Erik" is nowhere 

 in sight, and it is long since we have seen our little 

 friend the " Victor." Both yesterday and to-day 

 myriads of rotges or little auks were seen, the air 

 and water in places literally teeming with them. 



