S18 EXPEDITIONS OF PARR Y AND ROSS— 1827-23. 



again." That time was not far distant, and on the 25th of the month the 

 removal of the remaining stores, and of the invalids, was begun. The 

 system of successive journeys was again necessarily adopted, and during the 

 first week of July the stores were got well forward. On Sunday, 7th July, 

 the last divine service the hapless explorers hoped ever to attend at Somer- 

 set House was performed. " It was the commencement," says Eoss, " of 

 a farewell which all hoped would be eternal. ... On Monday every- 

 thing was ready, and we too were as prepared as we were anxious to quit 

 this dreary place, as we hoped, for ever. Yet, with these hopes, there were 

 mingled many fears; enough to render it still but too doubtful, in all our 

 minds, whether we might not yet be compelled to return — to return once 

 more to despair, and perhaps, but to die. To have been able confidently to 

 say. Adieu, for ever ! would have been indeed to render this a delightful 

 parting." 



After infinite exertion and suffering, the starved and emaciated men 

 reached the boats at Batty Bay on the 12th, having brought their remaining 

 stores and sick comrades with them. And now there was nothing to do 

 but to pray for the speedy breaking up of the ice. 



Weary and heart-sickening was the waiting for the expected change of 

 weather during the long days of July, and the longer days of the first two 

 weeks of August. On the 14th of that month a lane of water was, for the 

 first time, seen leading to the northward, and the heart-sickness of hope 

 deferred was superseded by feverish anxiety. Few of the wretched men 

 slept that night, and at four in the morning all were up and busy with their 

 hatchets cutting away at the ice that obstructed the shore. Soon after four 

 the tide rose, and a fine westerly breeze springing up, the men launched 

 their boats, embarked the stores, and by eight o'clock were fairly under 

 way, free from the detested ice at last, and rocked once more by the swell 

 of the sea-water. 



No time now to think of past failures. " In the reproof of chance lies 

 the true proof of man." They must succeed ! If ever men made the condi- 

 tions of nature bend to their will, these winter-worn seamen must do it now. 



The boats soon rounded the north cape of Batty Bay, and striking a 

 continuation of the lane of water, crossed Elwin's Bay at midnight. As 

 they proceeded the open water increased in breadth, and at eight on the 

 evening of the 16th, they reached the north-eastern cape of North Somer- 

 set Island, at the entrance to Eegent's Inlet. Here they landed, pitched 

 their tents, and rested for the night. At three in the morning they again 

 embarked. The weather was calm ; but the men took to the oars and rowed 

 in an eastward direction across the mouth of the inlet. At noon they 

 reached the edge of the packed ice through streams of floating pieces. A 

 southerly breeze then sprang up, enabled them to round the pack, and 



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