OREENLAND OR POLAR ICE. 31S 



received a check, for we then met with fields in 

 the act of collapsing and completely barring our 

 progress. As the distance across was scarcely a 

 mile, and the sea to appearance clear beyond it, 

 the interruption was most tantalizing. We wait- 

 ed at the point of union, in the hope of the sepa- 

 ration of the two fields ; and on the morning of 

 the 26th of May, our anxiety was happily re«^ 

 lieved, by the wished- for division of the ice. The 

 ship, propelled by a brisk wind, darted through 

 the strait, and entered a sea, which we considered 

 the termination of our difficulties. After steer- 

 ing three hours to the south-eastward, as directed 

 by the northern ice, we were concerned to dis - 

 cover, that our conclusions had been premature. 

 An immense pack opened on our view, stretching 

 directly across our track. There was no alterna- 

 tive, but forcing through it : we therefore push- 

 ed forward into the least connected part. By 

 availing ourselves of every advantage in sailing, 

 where sailing was practicable, and boring ^ or 

 drifting, where the pieces of ice were too com- 

 pact, we at length reached the leev^-ard part of a 



X 4 



* Boring, is the operation of forcing a ship through crowded 

 ice by the agency of the wind on the sails. The impetus of 

 the ship is studiously directed against the opposing pieces, and ix 

 passage thereby effected. It can be performed only with fa- 

 vourable winds. 



