350 
THE DETERMINATION. 
“August 23, Wednesday.—The brig cannot escape. 
I got an eligible position with my sledge to review the 
floes, and returned this morning at two o’clock. There 
is no possibility of our release, unless by some extreme 
intervention of the coming tides. I doubt whether a 
boat could be forced as far as the Southern Water. 
When I think of the extraordinary way in which the 
ice was impacted last winter, how very little it has 
yielded through the summer, and how early another 
winter is making its onset upon us, I am very doubtful, 
indeed, whether our brig can get away at all. It would 
be inexpedient to attempt leaving her now in boats; 
the water-streams closing, the pack nearly fast again, 
and the young ice almost impenetrable. 
“I shall call the officers and crew together, and make 
known to them very fully how things look, and what 
hazards must attend such an effort as has been proposed 
among them. They shall have my views unequivocally 
expressed. I will then give them twenty-four hours to 
deliberate; and at the end of that time all who deter¬ 
mine to go shall say so in writing, ■with a full exposi¬ 
tion of the circumstances of the case. They shall have 
the best outfit I can give, an abundant share of our 
remaining stores, and my good-bye blessing. 
“August 24, Thursday.—At noon to-day I had all 
hands called, and explained to them frankly the consi¬ 
derations which have determined me to remain where 
we are. I endeavored to show them that an escape 
to open water could not succeed, and that the effort 
must be exceedingly hazardous: I alluded to our 
