LAND AT LAST 40 1 



the ice was in constant motion ; it ground round as in 

 a whirlpool. If a channel opened, we had no sooner 

 launched our kayaks than it once more closed violently, 

 and we had to snatch them up in the greatest haste. 

 Several times they were within a hair's-breadth of being 

 smashed. Meanwhile the storm was steadily increasing, 

 the spray dashed over us, and we drifted farther and 

 farther out to sea. The situation was not pleasant. 



At length, however, we got clear, and now discovered, 

 to our joy, that by exerting our utmost strength we 

 could just force the kayaks on against the wind. It 

 w^as a hard pull, and our arms ached ; but still we crept 

 slowly on towards land. The sea was choppy and 

 bad, but our kayaks were good sea -boats; and even 

 mine, with the bullet-hole in it, did so well that I kept 

 to some extent dry. The wind came now and then in 

 such gusts that we felt as if it might lift us out of the 

 water and upset us ; but gradually, as we drew nearer 

 in under the high cliffs, it became quieter, and at last, 

 after a long time, we reached the shore, and could 

 take breath. We then rowed in smoother water along 

 the shore up to our camping-place. It was with genu- 

 ine satisfaction that we clambered on shore that nio-ht, 

 and how unspeakably comfortable it was to be lying 

 again snugly within four walls in our little den, wet 

 though we were ! A good potful of meat was prepared, 

 and our appetite was ravenous. It was, indeed, with 

 sorrow that we thouo-ht of the lost walruses now driftino- 



