FIRST VOYAGE OF CAPT. ROSS. 
83 
lowing day no tidings of Sacheuse, nor any of the Esquimaux 
being received, a boat was sent on shore, when it was ascer¬ 
tained that he had broken his collar bone, from the recoil of his 
gun, he having overloaded it on the principle of “ plenty of 
powder, plenty of kill.” He was brought on board, but it was 
some time before the cure was effected. 
The second barrier of ice was passed on the 3d July, and on 
the same day, the ships were abreast of Sanderson’s hope, and 
in sight of Woman’s Islands. A remarkable appearance of une¬ 
qual refraction was observed here in the ships, which were in 
the immediate vicinity, as well as those, which were at a dis¬ 
tance. Those within two or three miles, seemed to be extended 
to a monstrous height, while those at double the distance, ap¬ 
peared to be drawn out in a horizontal direction, even to flatness 
upon the water. 
On the 4th, the third great barrier of ice was passed, consist¬ 
ing of large icebergs in vast numbers, which were aground in 
depths, varying from sixty-three to one hundred fathoms ; the 
ships were now enveloped in a dense fog, which on clearing 
away, discovered land bearing true E. ; finding it impossible to 
penetrate further north, while keeping far off the shore, they 
stood in for the land, and on the evening of the 7th, passed near 
the Three Islands, described by Baffin, and situate within a bay 
in which several smaller islands were seen. Numerous birds of 
various kinds were seen on these islands, as also the first whale, 
since the ships had entered the arctic regions. 
For some days the ships were beset in the ice, beating up at 
times for several miles, and then finding no exit, were obliged 
to retrace their way. On the evening of the 16th, the ice ap¬ 
peared to be opening, and they passed a few miles to the west 
of the Three Islands, and made all sail for a narrow channel^ 
which was seen in the ice, leading, although in a very crooked 
direction, due N. N. W. They continued their course with a 
fair wind up this channel, which grew every hour more intricate 
and narrow, at length two floes closed in upon them, when they 
were completely jammed in. The Isabella underwent a very 
heavy pressure, but fortunately without damage, although she 
