ANTARCTIC CRUISE. 295 



yet that we were closely circumscribed was evident from having 

 made the ice so soon on either tack, and from the audible rustling 

 around us. It required several hours to extricate the ship from this 

 bay. 



Few are able to estimate the feelings that such an occasion causes 

 to a commander, who has the responsibility of the safety of ship and 

 crew operating as a heavy weight upon his heart, and producing a 

 feeling as if on the verge of some overwhelming calamity. All tends 

 to satisfy him that nothing could guide him in safety through, or shield 

 from destruction those who have been entrusted to his charge, but the 

 hand of an all-wise Providence. 



17th. In the morning we discovered a ship apparently within a mile 

 of us, to which we made signal and fired a gun, but she was shortly 

 after lost sight of. We also saw the brig to the eastward, close to the 

 barrier of ice. In the afternoon we spoke the Peacock : she had not 

 seen us in the morning ; and I should be disposed to believe that the 

 cause of her image appearing so close to us in the morning was 

 produced by refraction above a low fog-bank ; but the usual accom- 

 paniment of such phenomena, a difference of temperature below and 

 aloft, did not exist. 



I now desired Captain Hudson to make the best use of his time in 

 exploring, as to attempt to keep company would only impede our 

 progress, and, without adding to our safety, might prevent the oppor- 

 tunity of examining the barrier for an opening. I was also satisfied 

 that the separation would be a strong incentive to exertion, by exciting 

 rivalry among the officers and crews of the different vessels. This 

 day at noon we were in latitude 66° 20' S., longitude 156° 02' E. 

 Many petrels, albatrosses, a few whales, and a seal, were seen from 

 the ship ; and the water was quite green. 



18th. The weather this day was variable, with light westerly winds; 

 the temperature of air and water 32°. Occasional squalls of snow and 

 mist occurred, but it was at times clear. The water was still olive- 

 green ; and the other vessels occasionally in sight, beating to windward. 



On the morning of the 19th, we found ourselves in a deep bay, and 

 discovered the Peacock standing to the southwest. Until eight o'clock, 

 a. m., we had a moderate breeze. The water was of a darker olive- 

 green, and had a muddy appearance. Land was now certainly visible 

 from the Vincennes, both to the south-southeast and southwest, in the 

 former direction most distinctly. Both appeared high. It was between 

 eight and nine in the morning when I was fully satisfied that it was 

 certainly land, and my own opinion was confirmed by that of some of 



