CHAPTER VII. 
rilE ERIC ON A BERG-GODSEND LEDGE-HOLDING ON-ADRIFT — 
SCUDDING-TOWED BY A BERG-UNDER THE CLIFFS-NIPPINGS 
-AGROUND-ICE PRESSURE-AT REST. 
“August 16, Tuesday.—The formation of the young 
ice seems to l}e retarded by the clouds: its greatest 
nightly freezing has been three-quarters of an inch. 
But I have no doubt, if we had continued till now in 
our little Refuge Harbor, the winter would have closed 
around us, without a single resource or chance for 
escape. Where we are now, I cannot help thinking 
our embargo must be temporary. Ahead of us to the 
northeast is the projecting headland, which terminates 
the long shallow curve of Bedevilled Reach. This 
serves as a lee to the northerly drift, and forms a 
bight into which the south winds force the ice. The 
heavy floes and bergs that are aground outside of us 
have encroached upon the lighter ice of the reach, and 
choke its outlet to the sea. But a wind off shore 
would start this whole pack, and leave us free. Mean¬ 
while, for our comfort, a strong breeze is setting in 
60 
