346 
GREENLAND VOYAGE. 
of the ice that proved of the greatest consequence 
to us. By means of this reflection, which present¬ 
ed a distinct map of the various bodies of ice and 
intervening channels of water, wc perceived that 
the chain of floes a little to the northward of us, 
was slightly divided, so as to promise to afford us 
a passage. In beating up to this position wc had 
some difficult and narrow sailing; but, having 
reached the place indicated as an opening by the 
sky, we found a clear channel which conducted us 
through the chain of floes into a tolerably open 
navigation to the eastward. At sun-set, the 
wind blowing strong, we made fast, along with 
the Fame, to a small floe, for safety during the 
night. The Dundee unluckily parted company 
in the fog, by steering a more southerly course 
than that which w r e pursued. 
The night was excessively dark and boisterous. 
All the ice was in motion, and annoyed us much. 
At day-break, a floe set up so near us, that wc 
were obliged to get under-way. Though the 
weather was very thick, we continued our course 
to the eastward, under a brisk sail. At first wc 
were greatly embarrassed by a body of floes, which, 
after putting the ships about, and obliging us to 
pursue every possible course, eventually afforded 
us a passage. The latter part of the day being 
less windy, and the sea more open, we advanced 
