402 
STATE OF THE ICE. 
T' 
den and in rounded bowlders, rising from the depths 
of the sea. Their density, so near that of the liquid 
in which they were submerged, made this rise slow 
and impressive. TVe could see them many fathoms 
below, voyaging again to the upper world. Once be- 
tween the gaping edges of the lead, they effectually 
prevent the closing. They are about us in every di- 
rection, interposed between the fields. 
“The appendage which sustains our brig has a 
good deal of this character. I will try to make an 
exact drawing of it as a curiosity, if it hangs on to 
us much longer. Its buoyancy indicates great sub- 
merged mass. A strong cable and ice anchor have 
been carried to a floe on our starboard bow, and the 
swell drives it upon us like a great battering-ram. 
This ingenious method of pounding us out of our te- 
nacious cradle subjects us to a regular succession of 
heavy shocks, which would stai'tle a man not used 
to ice navigation. At the time I write, 11 P.M., we 
have been nearly three hours subjected to this bang- 
ing without any apparent impression. To-morrow 
we will, if not liberated, apply the saw; and then 
again to the warps ! 
“11 20 P.M. In the midst of fragments, few more 
than a hundred yards in length, nearly all much 
smaller. Between them are zigzag leads of open 
water. Astern of us is an expansion of some fifty 
yards across; ahead, a winding creek, wider than our 
brig. Thus closes the day. 
“One thing more: a thought of gratitude before I 
turn in. This journal shows that I have been in 
the daily habit of taking long, solitary walks upon 
the ice, miles from the ship. Suppose this rupture 
to have come entirely without forewarning! I had 
