104 THE OCEAN SWELL. . Chap. VI. 



calculated upon much assistance from our engines 

 upon such a voyage, Mr. Brand alone being 

 capable of working tbe engines, so that ten or 

 twelve hours daily is all the steaming that could 

 have been expected. 



But we are still ice-locked, so I .purpose going 

 to Holsteinborg in preference to a more southern 

 port, as there we may expect to get reindeer 

 and a small supply of stores suitable to our 

 wants. The whalers sometimes reach Disco in 

 March, Upernivik in May, and the North Water 

 early in June. Unless we should be at once , 

 set free, we would not have time to spare for 

 a Newfoundland voyage. ■, 



2Ath. — Another anxious week has passed. 

 Latterly we have experienced south-westerly 

 currents similar to those which Parry describes 

 when beset here in June, 1819. To-day we 

 have had a strong S.E. breeze, with snow and 

 dark weather. The wind had greatly moderated 

 when the swell reached us about eight o'clock 

 this evening. It is now ten o'clock ; the long 

 ocean swell already lifts its crest five feet above 

 the hollow of the sea, causing its thick covering 

 of icy fragments to dash against each other and 

 against us with unpleasant violence. It is how- 

 ever very beautiful to look upon, the dear old 

 familiar ocean-swell ! it has long been a stranger 



