In the Arctic Regions. 425 
themselves ; and I am still of opinion that, mingled 
as we were with them, the first blood we had shed 
would have been instantly revenged by the sacrifice of 
all our lives, 
But to resume the narrative of the voyage. The 
breeze became moderate and fair ; the sails were set, - 
and we passed along the coast ina W.N, W. direc- 
tion, until eleven in the evening, when we halted on 
a low island, covered with drift wood, to repair the 
sails, and to put the boats in proper order for a sea 
voyage. The continuance and increase of the favor- 
able wind urged us to make all possible despatch, and 
Syn” at three in the morning of the 9th again em- 
barking, we kept in three fathoms waters at the distance 
of two miles from the Jand. After sailing twelve 
miles, our progress was completely stepped by the ice 
adhering to the shore, and stretching beyond the lim- 
its of our view to seaward. We could not effect a 
landing until we had gone back some miles, as we had 
passed a sheet of ice which was fast to the shore ; 
but at length a convenient spot being found, the boats 
were hauled up on the beach. We quickly ascended 
to the top of the bank to look around, and from thence 
had the mortification to perceive that we had just ar- 
rived in time to witness the first rupture of the ice. 
The only lane of water in the direction of our course 
was that from which we had been forced to retreat: 
