PACIFIC AND BEERING’S STRAIT. 
Sll 
evening before), and the crew being much tired, we anchored, hoping CHAP. 
that a few hours would bring a breeze — not caring from which quarter, 
as we felt confident that, before the ice could approach near enough to Narrative 
block us, we should be able to reach the Sea Horse Islands, where we 
made certain of being clear. The night dark and cloudy. 
Thursday, 24th August. At two a. m., a fine breeze rising at 
E. S. E., we weighed, but found the current so strong against us that we 
lost ground and anchored again : — the current setting north (mag,) three 
miles and a half an hour. x\t three we were alarmed at the sudden 
appearance of the ice, which was drifting fast down on us. No time was to 
be lost. The crew were instantly sent on shore with a warp. We got up 
the anchor, and hauled within eight or ten yards of the beach, it being 
steep enough to admit our proceeding thus close. We now began track- 
ing the boat along, and proceeded for a short time without much dif- 
ficulty ; but the ice increasing fast, and the pieces getting larger, she re- 
ceived some violent blows. The main body nearing the shore to the 
distance of about 100 yards left this space less incumbered, and occa- 
sioned an increase in the rapidity of the current one knot an hour. 'J’o 
add to our perplexities, at five the wind freshened up at south (directly 
against us), and we also had the mortification to observe the ice speedily 
connecting with the beach, scarcely leaving an open space visible. 
Nothing now but the greatest exertion could extricate the boat; and 
the crew, willing to make the most of every trifling advantage, gave a 
hearty cheer, and forced her through thick and heavy ice until we 
rounded a projecting point that had hitherto obstructed our view. 
This, however, could only be accomplished with considerable labour and 
risk ; for here, as in many other places, we had to take the track-line up 
cliffs, frequently covered with hard snow and ice, which, hanging a con- 
siderable distance over the water, prevented the possibility of getting 
round beneath. The rope was then obliged to be thrown down, and the 
upper end held fast, until the crew hauled themselves up one by one; and 
in this manner we continued along the cliff'until the beach again made its 
appearance. But here even we found it no easy task to walk, on account 
of small loose shingle, in which we often sunk to the knees ; and having 
the weight of the boat at the same time, it became excessively fatiguing. 
