LAND AT LAST 



177 



some futile attempts we at length got afloat, but only to 

 discover that the wind and the waves were too strono-; 

 we should scarcely be able to make any progress against 

 them. Our only resource, therefore, was to sail, if this 

 were practicable. We went alongside an ice promontory, 

 lashed the kayaks together, raised the mast, and again put 

 to sea. We soon had our single sail hoisted, and to our 

 unspeakable satisfaction we now^ found that we got along 

 capitally. At last we should be able to bid farewell to 

 the ice, where we had been compelled to abandon our 

 hope of reaching home that year. We now continued 

 sailing hour after hour, and made good progress ; but 

 then the wind dropped too much for our single sail, and 

 I ventured to set the whole double sail. Hardly had we 

 done so, when the wind again sprang up, and we dashed 

 foaming; throuoh the water. This soon, however, be- 

 came a little too much ; the sea washed over the lee 

 kayak, the mast bent dangerously, and the situation did 

 not look very pleasant ; there was nothing for it but to 

 lower the sail again as quickly as possible. The single 

 sail was again hoisted, and we were cured for some time 

 of wishing to try anything more. 



We sailed steadily and well the whole day, and now 

 at last had to pass the difficult cape ; but it was evening 

 before we left it behind, and now the wind dropped so 

 much that the whole double sail had to be hoisted again, 

 and even then progress was slow. We kept on, how- 

 ever, durinor the nis^ht, alonfj the shore, determined to 



