ANTARCTIC CRUISE. 



311 



SKETCH OF LAND AND FIELD-ICE. 



This night we were beating with frequent tacks, in order to gain 

 as much southing as possible. Previous to its becoming broad day- 

 light, the fog rendered every thing obscure, even at a short distance 

 from the ship. I knew that we were in close proximity to icebergs 

 and field-ice, but from the report of the look-out, at sunset, believed 

 that there was an opening or large bay leading to the southward. 

 The ship had rapid way on her, and was much tossed about, when in 

 an instant all was perfectly still and quiet; the transition was so 

 sudden that many were awakened by it from sound sleep, and all 

 well knew, from the short experience we had had, that the cessation 

 of the sound and motion usual at sea, was a proof that we had run 

 within a line of ice, — an occurrence from which the feeling of great 

 danger is inseparable. The watch was called by the officer of the deck, 

 to be in readiness to execute such orders as might be necessary for the 

 safety of the ship. Many of those from below were seen hurrying 

 up the hatches, and those on deck straining their eyes to discover the 

 barrier in time to avoid accident. The ship still moving rapidly 

 along, some faint hope remained that the bay might prove a deep 

 one, and enable me to satisfy my sanguine hopes and belief relative 

 to the land. 



The feeling is awful, and the uncertainty most trying thus to enter 

 within the icy barrier blindfolded as it were by an impenetrable fog, 

 and the thought constantly recurring that both ship and crew were 

 in imminent danger ; yet I was satisfied that nothing could be gained 

 but by pursuing this course. On we kept, until it was reported to me, 

 by attentive listeners, that they heard the low and distant rustling of 

 the ice : suddenly a dozen voices proclaimed the barrier to be in sight, 

 just ahead. The ship, which a moment before seemed as if un- 

 peopled, from the stillness of all on board, was instantly alive with the 

 bustle of performing the evolutions necessary to bring her to the 

 wind, which was unfavourable to a return on the same track by 

 which we had entered. After a quarter of an hour, the ice was 

 again made ahead, and the full danger of our situation was realized. 



