ARCTIC VOYAGES. 
175 
stopped. No further progress was made this evening. About 11 p. m 
C aptain Young and I went out to shoot seals, and when we were return 
ing I saw a hear about half a mile from us; we hastened to the ship to 
get more ammunition, and to acquaint the captain of the presence of the 
new arrival; and although we waited patiently till 10 a. m., he did not 
come within rifle shot, and then scampered away. 
“ 18th.. This day we have been shut up in the ice, no progress being 
made until evening. We have been tracking and warping the ship, and 
breaking up and pushing out of our way the ice, all to gain some open 
water about ninety yards ahead of us. Warping is very slow work. In 
the afternoon blasting tins were about to be used, but the ice opened a 
little, so as to allow piece after piece to be detached, and give a slight 
opening for the bows of the ship. All the officers and both watches were 
engaged in this work. At 9 p. m. we gained the water, and proceeded 
under a very slight wind until 11.45, when again we were stopped by 
the floe, and anchored for the night. Numbers of seals were seen during 
the day, and one was shot. 
V 19th. Early this morning two bears were seen, but they did not 
approach sufficiently near the ship to give any one a chance of hitting 
them. The water that we passed through last night is now almost com¬ 
pletely filled with floe ice, so that we are completely surrounded, our 
farther progress at present being altogether impeded. We had numerous 
showers of snow to-day, and it was rather cold. Two seals were shot 
and preserved for the dogs, and one glaucous gull. In the evening the 
men turned out for a game of rounders,—the exertion kept us warm, 
although the air was cold. We are all very anxious to get out of Melville 
Bay, as the season is getting pretty far advanced. 
“ 20th. Still fast in the ice, and no appearance of a lead, although a 
constant look-out is kept. Ealls of snow continue, and we are thickly 
beset by ice; the air keeps cold, requiring us to exercise as much as pos¬ 
sible. Captain Young shot one seal, and Petersen two. The men had 
another game of rounders this evening. No bears on tracks seen to-day. 
Nothing else of interest. 
“21st. Still in the tight embrace of the ice. 
“ 22nd. Still in the tight embrace of the ice. 
“ 23rd. No movement in the floe. Divine service was held as usual. 
About 1 p. m. two narwhals were seen in a pool a little ahead of us, but 
before the whale-boat with the harpoon-gun could be got near them, they 
departed. To-day Cape Walker was very visible. 
“ 24th. This day we have been towing and tacking, and warping 
and exploding, the result being two ships’ lengths gained ; some wind 
present, but not very favourable; the atmosphere peculiarly clear and 
refractive to-day, causing the bergs and the horizon to appear very fan¬ 
tastic, and the coast was very apparent for many miles, about fifty or 
sixty miles distant; all Melville Bay was very visible; not a bird was 
seen the whole day, and only a few seals ; one was shot. The sky was 
very Italian in the afternoon, interspersed with cirro-stratus clouds, and 
the sun in the evening appeared of a roseate hue. 
