202 Hazardous Position on the Ice. 



it was fortunate that we did so, for when the fish 

 next rose it was in the midst of loose pack ice, 

 through which no boat could possibly have pene- 

 trated. "We determined on attempting to reach our 

 prey on the ice, and leaving the boat, we commenced 

 a rather ticklish and somewhat perilous journey, as 

 the ice was of a most rotten and treacherous nature. 

 On several occasions we were nearly going through, 

 indeed the boy who accompanied us and was carrying 

 the ammunition did fall in, and was only saved by 

 throwing himself forward. Unfortunately he lost 

 all the ammunition; however, we had loaded the 

 gun before landing, so that one shot was preserved. 

 Chester had the gun, while I was armed with a 

 lance. After walking rather more than half a 

 mile, which took us nearly an hour to accomplish, 

 we came up to our game, which was lying in a little 

 hole that it had made for itself through the thin 

 ice. Chester fired, and with effect, for almost 

 immediately the dart exploded the fish turned over 

 and expired. If we had not gone on the ice with 

 the gun it must have escaped us, having only been 

 struck with one harpoon, and we could not possibly 

 have lanced it from the ice. Our journey back was 

 as hazardous and difficult as the one made to the 

 fish. However, it has been a good day's work, as 

 the two whales caught are very large. 



Friday, July 11th. — We had our first meal at half 

 past twelve (a.m.) , and it was amusing to hear every 



