576 FARTHEST NORTH 



however, a gale had sprung up, blowing on the shore, 

 the ]Viud%uard' s moorings at the edge of the ice had 

 given way, she was set adrift and obliged to seek a haven 

 farther in, where, however, it was so shallow that there 

 was only one or two feet of water beneath her keel. 

 Meanwhile, the wind drove the ice in, the navigable 

 water closed in all round it outside, and the floes were 

 continually drawing nearer. For a time the situation 

 looked anything but pleasant; but fortunately the ice did 

 not reach the vessel, and she thus escaped being screwed 

 out of the water. After a delay of a couple of days on 

 this account the vessel got out again. 



And now we were to bid adieu to this last station 

 on our route, where we had met with such a cordial 

 and hospitable reception. A feverish energy came over 

 the little colony. Those who were going Jiome had to 

 make themselves ready for the voyage, and those who 

 were to remain had to bring their letters and other 

 things on board. This, however, was sufficiently diffi- 

 cult. The vessel lay waiting impatiently and incessant- 

 ly sounding her steam-whistle; and a quantity of loose 

 ice had packed itself together outside the edge of the 

 shore - ice, so that it was not easy to move. At last, 

 however, those who were to remain had gone on shore, 

 and we who wx're going home were all on board — that 

 is to say, Mr. Fisher, the botanist; Mr. Child, the chemist; 

 Mr. Burgess; and the Finn, Blomqvist, of the English 

 expedition, along with Johansen and myself. As the 



