Beset by Ice. 121 



The floes, however, were fast closing, and before 

 we had time to extricate ourselves we were com- 

 pletely and for the time hopelessly beset. We 

 used our utmost endeavours to get clear, sail was 

 set, and the engines did their best ; but it was of no 

 avail, we were unable to bore a way through, and 

 there we were, regularly caught and unable either 

 to go ahead or astern. The ice was so soft and 

 brashy as to render it impossible to benefit our- 

 selves by cutting or blasting. 



In addition to the mortification that we feel at 

 being beset, and probably detained many days, we 

 have the pleasing knowledge that the whales are 

 beginning to make their appearance, and that the 

 " Camperdown" succeeded in getting a fish at two 

 o'clock yesterday morning, the first that has been 

 captured since leaving the S. W. 



Yesterday was a beautiful clear day, and our 

 view from the ship across a large and extensive 

 plain of ice to the thickly snow-covered hills be- 

 yond, rising to an altitude of fully 2,000 feet, was 

 both new and imposing. Not a patch approaching 

 a dark colour was to be seen to relieve the eye on 

 the pure white snow-clad mountains. 



Close to Cape Liverpool is a large glacier, which 

 we can plainly see, formed in a deep ravine be- 

 tween two high hills, which makes me anxious for 

 a trip to the shore. There are also other induce- 

 ments to tempt me shore wards. Natives might be 

 fallen in with who could possibly throw some light 



