258 
A VOYAGE TO SPITZBERGEN. 
few sheets of tliin iron; never intending to go far 
away from the open water, they always hope to find 
oil-bearing animals to the south-west and north of 
Spitsbergen. They have little to fear in venturing 
into these fishing-grounds, always depending on their 
skill to escape from threatened danger. Once inside 
the ice, they coast along the shores during the fishing 
season, and run back at its close without much risk. 
It is only through a complication of disasters they at 
times get caught in the ice, or get nipped between 
two ice-fields. They manifest great skill in dealing 
with the ice in such emergencies, and some of them 
display a coolness and judgment which is most mar¬ 
vellous to one looking on. The ice is so buoyant, the 
least pressure in the right direction often diverts enor¬ 
mous masses of congealed water, whether in the shape 
of floes or pseudo-bergs. They rig their craft with a 
square sail, which is of great value in moments of 
difficulty, as by its aid they can back out of an open¬ 
ing readily; they generally have a mizen-mast and 
sail in addition. There are usually nine to seventeen 
men on board their boats of from forty tons, provided 
with accommodation for the reception of what oil they 
may secure. 
The steamers are of the oldest pattern. None of the 
modern appliances, now invariably found in boats even 
