SOUTHERN CRUISE. 157 
On the 23d it partly cleared, and the fog having been succeeded 
by a snow-storm, the wind hauled to the west, with a heavy bank of 
clouds in that quarter. The barometer showed no indication of a 
gale ; the weather turned out thick, and prevented them from seeing 
any distance. They had some severe squalls, accompanied with 
snow. On the 24th, the wind hauling to the northward and west- 
ward, brought snow and thick weather, with some heavy squalls. 
Many icebergs were met with, which were fortunately avoided. 
A sharp look-out was kept for them, and the ship put in readiness 
to perform any manoeuvre that might be desirable. Some of the 
icebergs were two hundred feet above the surface of the water, 
and of a pinnacle shape. The snow continued to fall fast, rendering 
the ship uncomfortably wet 
On the 25th the fog continued until near meridian. Many birds 
were seen about the ship, and many fin-back whales. They obtained 
a meridian observation, the first for the last six days, and found 
themselves in the latitude of 68° S., longitude 97° 58' W. Here, 
in the evening, to their great joy, they fell in with the tender Flying- 
Fish. On her near approach, all hands were turned up, and gave 
her three hearty cheers. Lieutenant Walker came on board, and 
reported to Captain Hudson as follows : 
That he had visited all the appointed rendezvous in hopes of 
falling in with the Peacock, but without success, having encountered 
very severe and boisterous weather. On the 18th they left the 
fourth rendezvous, having passed the 17th in its vicinity. They then 
turned towards the south for Cook's Ne Plus Ultra, and continued 
their way to the southward. The weather was at times very thick, 
the ice islands became numerous, and they occasionally passed a 
little floating ice. On the 18th the ice became abundant, and floated 
in latsre masses around them. At 4 a. m. the water was much dis- 
coloured, and some of the ice also having the appearance of being 
but lately detached from the land. They obtained a cast of the lead, 
but found no bottom at one hundred fathoms. At 8 o'clock the fog 
lifted, and discovered, to the amazement of all, a wall of ice from 
fifteen to twenty feet high, extending east and west as far as the eye 
could reach, and spreading out into a vast and seemingly boundless 
field to the south. This wall was formed of masses of all sizes, and 
various shapes and colours. Their latitude at this time was about 
67° 30' S., longitude 105° W. The weather becoming thick, they 
stood to the northward, and soon ran into blue water. 
vol. i. 40 
