330 HOPE OF ESCArE. Chap. XVII. 



freshly from the westward this morning, I went 

 to a hill-top and saw that much ice had been 

 broken up in Brentford Bay, and that there 

 were streaks of water along the land between 

 Possession Point and Hazard Inlet ; this water, 

 however, was not accessible to us. 



The ice about Pemmican Rock was much in 

 the same position as we found it last year, but 

 Bellot Strait was perfectly clear. All the ice 

 in this harbour, in Depot Bay, and Hazard 

 Inlet, is gone, by far the greater part having 

 decayed, not drifted away. 



Later in the day, and from loftier hill-tops, 

 a good deal of water was seen off Cape Grarry, 

 and a water-sky beyond. It now blows very 

 strongly from the S.W., the most desirable 

 quarter ; and as the anxious desire to escape 

 has become oppressive, it is not to be wondered 

 at that now our hopes have become extra- 

 vagant. We may even make a start to-mor- 

 row ! On the other hand, a careful examination 

 of our provision store shows that, should we be 

 obliged to spend another winter here, we must 

 curtail our allowance of meat — fresh and salt — 

 to three-quarters of a pound, and have to use 

 but very indifferent lemon-juice. The spirits, 

 I rejoice to say, will very shortly be entirely 

 expended. 



