604 THE PKOGEESS OF MARITIME DISCOVEEY. 



of the expedition ; but Eoss, though slowly, moved on, so that 

 about the middle of September the map of the northern regions 

 was enriched by some 500 miles of newly discovered coast. But 

 now winter broke in with all its Arctic severity, and the "Victory'* 

 was obliged to seek refuge in Felix Harbour, where the useless 

 steam-engine was thrown overboard as a nuisance, and the usual 

 preparations made for spending the cold season as agreeably as 

 possible. 



The following spring, from the 17th of May to the 13th of 

 June, was employed by James Eoss on a sledge journey, which 

 led to the discovery of King William's Sound and King William's 

 Land ; and during which that courageous mariner penetrated so 

 far to the west, that he had only ten days' provisions, scantily 

 measured out, for a return voyage of 200 miles through an 

 empty wilderness. 



After an imprisonment of full twelve months the "Victory" was 

 set free on the 17th of September, 1830, and proceeded once 

 more on her discoveries. But the period of her liberty was 

 short indeed, short like that of revolted slaves between two des- 

 potisms ; for, after advancing three miles in one continual battle 

 against the currents and the drift-ice, she again froze fast on the 

 27th of the same month. 



In the following spring we again see the indefatigable James 

 Eoss, ever active in the cause of science, extending the circle of 

 his excursions and planting the British flag upon the site of the 

 Northern Magnetic Pole, which, however, is not invariably fixed 

 to one spot, as was then believed, but moves from place to place 

 within the glacial zone. 



On the 28th of August, 1831, the "Victory," after a second 

 imprisonment of eleven months, was warped into open water 

 and, after having spent a whole month to advance four English 

 miles, was again enclosed by the ice on the 27th of September. 



But seven miles in two long years ! According to this measure, 

 there was but little hope indeed of ever seeing Old England again : 

 the only chance left was to abandon the vessel, and endeavour 

 by means of the boats left among the " Fury's " stores to reach 

 Baffin's Bay, and get a homeward passage in some whaler. 

 Accordingly the colours were nailed to the mast-head of the 

 " Victory," and then officers and crew took leave of the ill-fated 

 little vessel, on the 23rd of April, 1832. Captain Ross was deeply 



