AGROUND NEAR THE ICE-FOOT. 
85 
our track-lines and shoulder-belts replaced the warps. 
Hot coflee was served out; and, in the midst of cheering 
songs, our little brig moved off briskly. 
Our success, however, was not complete. At the 
very period of high-water she took the ground, while 
close under the Avails of the ice-foot. It Avould have 
been madness to attempt shoring her up. I could only 
fasten heavy tackle to the rocks which lined the base 
of the cliffs, and trust to the noble little craft’s unas¬ 
sisted strength. 
“August 27, Saturday.—We failed, in spite of our 
efforts, to get the brig off with last night’s tide; and, as 
our night-tides are generally the highest, I have some 
apprehensions as to her liberation. 
“We have landed every thing Ave could get up on the 
rocks, put out all our boats and filled them Avith pon¬ 
derables alongside, sunk our rudder astern, and lowered 
our remaining heavy anchor into one of our quarter- 
boats. Heavy haAvsers are out to a grounded lump of 
berg-ice, ready for instant heaving. 
“Last night she heeled over again so abruptly that 
Ave Avere all tumbled out of our berths. At the same 
time, the cabin stove Avith a full charge of gloAving 
anthracite Avas throAvn doAvn. The deck blazed smartly 
for a Avhile; but, by sacrificing Mr. Sontag’s heavy 
pilot-cloth coat to the public good, I choked it doAvn 
till water could be passed from above to extinguish it. 
It Avas fortunate avc had Avater near at hand,'for the 
powder-Avas not far off. 
“ 3 p. m.—T he ground-ice is forced in upon our stern, 
