VOYAGE TO GREENLAND. 
103 
able lead, the further end was observed to be closing, 
and not only to oppose our progress, but also to 
point out the necessity of returning as early as pos- 
sible ; repeated were these disappointments during 
the day, while the wind continued blowing with 
great fury, compelling us to sail between immense 
floes, staying round some, and veering round others ; 
in short, we had to steer north, south, and east, to 
pursue our course. By some it might be considered 
a day of most fearful sailing, but from its increasing 
variety, it was to me a time of extraordinary interest. 
A barrier of impenetrable ice at length arrested our 
progress, and the ship lay to, in the anxious hope 
that the gale would interpose in our behalf, and, 
by abating, enable us to proceed. 
Some Liverpool friends having, previous to our 
sailing, intimated their intention of drinking to Cap- 
tain Scoresby’s good health and mine, precisely at 
two o’clock this day, as they knew that our time to 
dine was one o’clock, the chronometer was now con- 
sulted, the diflerence of time between Liverpool 
and our present station calculated, and the precise 
moment being ascertained when it was presumed 
that the clocks of that town would be striking two, 
our flowing glasses, met with best wishes at our lips, 
for health and happiness to our absent friends. 
There is something extremely consolatory and in- 
finitely pleasing to those who are far distant from 
esteemed relations and friends, to know the very 
instant when they are interesting themselves in their 
