We are again beset. 123 



This fact is apparently known to an old seal of 

 a huge size, who for many hours has been lying on 

 the ice basking in the sun, occasionally raising its 

 head for the purpose of observing our movements, 

 in a dreamy, sleepy sort of manner. We could 

 easily shoot him from the ship ; but even if success- 

 ful in killing, it would be almost impossible to 

 make a prize of him, so he is allowed to remain in 

 undisturbed peace, and enjoy himself, as Dr. Kane 

 would say, in a " sealy" manner. 



These regions are proverbially notorious for the 

 sudden changes which so quickly take place in the 

 weather and state of the ice. 



At noon our position was by no means a pleasant 

 one, but by 4 p.m., in consequence of a bright sun 

 and a light north-westerly breeze, the floes com- 

 menced to loosen and " leads" through the ice were 

 observed in various directions. Steam was quickly 

 raised, and hopeful anticipations of being again free 

 were shared by all. These were, however, doomed 

 not to be realized, for after about six hours' con- 

 tinual steaming, first ahead, then astern, with the 

 men employed rushing from side to side to roll the 

 ship, we were again beset, having barely advanced 

 a couple of miles. If the fine weather continues 

 we may reasonably hope to be shortly released ; 

 and the sooner the better, for our confinement and 

 utter inability to get out are already beginning to 

 exert a depressing influence upon our worthy 



