providential ESCAPE. SIS 
the gale against the floe that we were moored to, 
urged it so rapidly to leeward for some time, that 
the southern ice, to which we were now exposed, 
began to set up with alarming velocity. Nothing 
dangerous, however, came in the way during the 
continuance of the gale; and, to our great com¬ 
fort, about 4 a. m. the weather cleared up, and 
immediately began to moderate. 
By this time our people were so much exhaust¬ 
ed by fatigue, that on undertaking the recovery 
of our ropes, which cost a labour of some hours, 
several of our able-seamen withdrew from then- 
duty, making a sacrifice of their character and 
hopes of preferment, and exposing themselves to 
the loss of then wages, for the sake of the indul¬ 
gence in a little rest. 
After recovering all our ropes, we cast-off* from 
this place of peril, and made sail to the eastward, 
into ample room. We were rejoiced to find, that 
the ship was not rendered leaky, by the coarse 
treatment experienced; and that no damage, either 
inside or without, of any consequence, could be 
discovered. 1 he Fame was not in sight when we 
got under-way, and I was greatly anxious respect¬ 
ing her. Shortly afterwards, however, to our great 
satisfaction, the Fame was discovered standing to 
the westward, and apparently safe; but not so the 
Dundee, the only other ship near,—this vessel, 
