VOYAGE TO GREENLAND. 
37 
hue of dense blue ice. In cases where the pieces 
that opposed our progress were not very ponder- 
ous, a contention for strength was often to deter- 
mine the issue ; and the struggle, in some instances, 
was considerable, but the power of the ship being 
so judiciously and mechanically applied, made the 
ice yield in the contest, so that we invariably forced 
a passage. Boats were now got out a-head, to assist 
the ship to keep her course. The ice gathering 
very fast, ice poles were used for forcing openings, 
while the boats went a-head, to try which pieces 
might be the most easily removed. In this manner 
we went two or three miles, until a barrier of solid 
ice, many leagues in breadth, rendered it impossible 
to proceed any further. The ice through which 
we had passed, being observed to be rapidly clos- 
ing, the promptest decision Avas necessary ; and im- 
mediate exertion, it was evident, could alone save 
us from being locked in by the ice, probably for 
several weeks, and thereby losing the season for 
fishing. A moment was not to be lost ; the ship’s 
head was got round, to retrace her former course ; 
and it was most fortunate that the quick determina- 
tion to retire was carried into effect ; as a stiff breeze 
springing up, caused the ice to close so very fast, 
that half an hour later would have prevented our 
escape. On clearing our difficulties, we sailed to 
the north-west. 
At one period of the day, when the ship could 
make its passage without the assistance of the boat, 
I had some excellent shooting; killing upwards of 
