CHAPTER XXI. 
On the 27th, the chances of this narrow and capri- 
cious navigation had gathered five of the searching 
vessels, nnder three different commands, within the 
same quarter of a mile — Sir John Ross', Penny's, and 
our 0wn. Both Ross and Penny had made the effort 
to push through the sound to the west, but found a 
great belt of ice, reaching in an almost regular cres- 
cent from Leopold's Island across to the northern shore, 
about half a mile from the entrance of the channel. 
Captain Ommanney, with the Intrepid and Assistance, 
had been less fortunate. He had attempted to break 
his way through the barrier, but it had closed on him, 
and he was now fast, within fifteen miles of us, to the 
west. 
Affcer breakfast, our commander and myself took a 
boat to visit the traces discovered yesterday by Cap- 
tain Penny. Taking the Lady Franklin in our way, 
we met Sir John Ross and Commander Phillips, and 
a conference- naturally took place upon the best plans 
for concerted operations. I was very much struck 
with the gallant disinterestedness of spirit which was 
shown by all the officers in this discussion. Penny, 
an energetic, practical fellow, sketched out at once a 
plan of action for each vessel of the party. He him- 
self would take the western search ; Ross should run 
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