VOYAGE TO GREENLAND. 
165 
As the wind blew hard, directly towards the body 
of ice, much minute observation was required in 
approaching it ; for several miles within the range 
of sight, large fragments of ice were scattered in 
every direction ; among these, the ship was steered 
in a masterly manner, to 'avoid the many obstacles 
that in this intricate navigation prevented our keep- 
ing a direct course. At length an opening was 
observed, when having passed through it, we bade 
adieu to the comforts of smooth water, which we 
had enjoyed while we were among the ice : and 
I expected the turbulence of the ocean would again 
bring back the horrible sufferings of sea-sickness, 
which I so severely experienced at the commence- 
ment of the voyage. We sailed to the southward, 
to look for whales in that quarter, and I went to 
my cabin, in the hope of averting those feelings 
which I was confident a most raging sea would 
cause to return. 
At two o’clock in the morning it was 
x^ugust 10. island of Jan 
Mayne was in sight, on which I arose, and saw the 
east side of it. It presented nothing unusual to 
the general appearance of distant land. It was 
much obscured in a mist, and only a part rising from 
the margin of the ocean was visible ; but as we 
approached it, new objects presented themselves and 
kept the attention continually alive. About five 
o’clock, the sun, which had not, during the last 
fortnight, shed its kind rays upon us, indicated a 
disposition to re-appear; a circumstance most im- 
