Attempt to get up Lancaster Sound. 143 



to an enormous field of ice, whose extent was not 

 discernible from the nest, between Cape Liverpool 

 and Cape Hay. 



At 1 p.m. we made a further attempt to get up 

 Lancaster Sound, but had to relinquish it in con- 

 sequence of the severity of the gale. Orders were 

 given to put the helm up, and we are now running 

 back to our old fishing ground off the middle ice. 

 I cannot get the " Polaris" out of my head ; I feel 

 convinced, if we sought her, she would be found 

 not far from the entrance to Smith's Sound. This 

 morning, a large bear was seen swimming* in the 

 water, the ship's course was directed towards it, 

 and a well-directed shot from the forecastle made it 

 a prize. It was an enormous brute, measuring 

 9 ft. 6 in. 



Sunday, June 22nd. — Yesterday the sun had 

 attained its greatest northern declination. I at- 

 tempted to get its altitude at midnight, but it was 

 unfortunately obscured by clouds. 



" It is an ill wind that blows no one any good." 

 Yesterday we were bewailing our hard fate at being 

 unable to proceed up the Sound in consequence of 

 the strong head winds which we encountered, com- 

 pelling us to return to our old fishing station, ex- 

 pecting to hear, that whilst we had been uselessly 

 expending our fuel in vain endeavours to get up 

 the Sound, the remainder of the ships would have 

 been actively employed amongst the whales. This 



