Aug. 1857. BESET IN MELVILLE BAY. 41 



except a gradual closing together, the small 

 spaces and streaks of water being still further 

 diminished. The temperature has fallen, and is 

 usually below the freezing-point. I feel most 

 keenly the difficulty of my position ; we cannot 

 afford to lose many more days. Of all the 

 voyages to Barrow Strait, there are but two 

 which were delayed beyond this date, viz., 

 Parry's in 1824, and the 'Prince Albert's' in 

 1851. Should we not be released, and there- 

 fore be compelled to winter in this pack, not- 

 withstanding all our efforts, I shall repeat the 

 trial next year, and in the end, with God's aid, 

 perform my sacred duty. 



The men enjoy a game of rounders on the 

 ice each evening ; Petersen and Christian are 

 constantly on the look-out for seals, as well as 

 Hobson and Young occasionally ; if in good 

 condition and killed instantaneously, the seals 

 float ; several have already been shot ; the liver 

 fried with bacon is excellent. 



Birds have become scarce, — the few we see are 

 returning southward. How anxiously I watch 

 the ice, weather, barometer, and thermometer ! 

 Wind from any other quarter than S.E. would 

 oblige the floe-pieces to rearrange themselves, 

 in doing which they would become loose, and 

 then would be our opportunity to proceed. 



