VOYAGE TO GREENLAND. 
83 
by closing again, they should crush us to pieces. 
For the first time during this voyage, the Baffin had 
her progress arrested ; not, however, for more than 
an hour and a half, but our situation, while that 
period lasted, was extremely critical, and prodigious 
exertions were used by the crew to free us from our 
icy prison. About seven o’clock in the evening, on 
entering a large bay, nearly surrounded by close- 
packed^ ice, several whales were seen at different 
parts, near its verge ; this gave to us all a joy, not 
easily described. Boats were instantly sent to the 
different stations appointed for them, there to wait 
for the re-appearance of a whale ; one of the boats, 
and also the gun-boat in which I was, (the harpooner 
having recovered from his illness) were ordered to 
as favourable a spot as could be selected, and from 
' which whales had just retired : it was the point of 
two contiguous small bays, commanding a good view 
into each of them ; here we remained perfectly still, 
and narrowly watching for the appearance of our 
destined prey. This was to me a period of anxiety 
and expectation, that it would be impossible to de- 
scribe. We had not been here long, when some 
whales were seen to rise at the opposite side of the 
bay, and two boats made a start, (that is, they rowed 
with the greatest rapidity) towards them ; harpoons 
were thrown without success, and whether these 
♦ A body of drift-ice of such magnitude, that its extent is not 
discernible ; and the pieces of which, though near each other, do 
not generally touch. 
G 2 
