314 ANTARCTIC CRUISE. 



that I was obliged to reduce sail still further : the fore and main-top- 

 sails were clewed up ; the former was furled, but the latter being a 

 new sail, much difficulty was found in securing it. 



] - -. I ... ICE-EEK.A 



A seaman, by the name of Brooks, in endeavouring to execute the 

 order to furl, got on the lee yardarm, and the sail having blown over 

 the yard, prevented his return. Not being aware of his position until 

 it was reported to me from the forecastle, he remained there some 

 time. On my seeing him he appeared stiff, and clinging to the yard 

 and lift. Spilling-lines were at once rove, and an officer with several 

 men sent aloft to rescue him, which they succeeded in doing by 

 passing a bowline around his body and dragging him into the top, 

 He was almost frozen to death. Several of the best men were com- 

 pletely exhausted with cold, fatigue, and excitement, and were sent 

 below. This added to our anxieties, and but little hope remained to 

 me of escaping : I felt that neither prudence nor foresight could avail 

 in protecting the ship and crew. All that could be done, was to be 

 prepared for any emergency, by keeping every one at his station. 



We were swiftly dashing on, for I felt it necessary to keep the ship 

 under rapid way through the water,, to enable her to steer and work 

 quickly. Suddenly many voices cried out, " Ice ahead !" then, " On 

 the weather bow !" and again, " On the lee bow and abeam !" All 

 hope of escape seemed in a moment to vanish ; return we could not, as 



