the boat was all but incapable to effect this: for wherever such a gap was presented the brash ice intervened. The explanation I have already given of this sort of ice will enable the reader to understand in some measure our position. Added to this, moreover, was the fact that the rapidity of the current setting fast out of the harbour upon the inland swell of the sea, was causing some of the heavy floes to have a far from pleasant motion: now lifting themselves upwards for several feet, and retiring from their respective neighbours; and then suddenly springing forward as they descended close to their fellows. To be on them at such a moment was not what we cared for; but should the boat be between two of them at such a time, and we in the boat, there would be enough to look out for. However, the thought of these matters explained here for the reader unaccustomed to the ice of us then much trouble. For myself I had decided (confirmed in my decision by the opinion of the men, and their readiness to attempt it); and therefore heedless of danger or regard for self we all "with a will" began our task. The boat was the only thing that we thought for; and never was child more tenderly handled than was the "gutta percha" by all of us that morning. Occasionally we lifted her when any hummocky piece of ice or other in

gave none

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cumbrance presented an obstruction to her being dragged along upon her keel; then we wonld slide her carefully down into the "brash" when too large a gap intervened: and the moment any of the floes appeared to rise or come too near, boat-hooks, icepoles, and our own hands were thrust out on both sides to guard her.

At first we had, comparatively, but little difficulty. Two or three pieces were got over, almost easily ; but when we got into the thick of it, we thought several times we should not be able to get through at all. In the "brash" we could not make her stir, until some motion of the nearest floe caused a disturbance around and eased the density of the stuff that stopped us. When we were among the smaller pieces of ice, we could get no proper prize for our hooks and staffs to push her on; and at such times we had to spring out upon the pieces themselves, while they sunk below the water occasionally to our waist with us, and thus bodily pull the boat onward. At this work Wilson, with his accustomed daring, rendered himself conspicuous; and, indeed, there was not one of the crew who did not make self the last in his thoughts at such moments, and who was not in and out the boat with the lightness of a fawn each second it was required. When the pieces became too far apart, and the "brash" slackened a little, a

vigorous "send" was given the boat, and then, each man, watching the opportunity, gave the last impulse with his foot and threw himself on to the boat as the ice receded from him. Sitting on the gunwales and the bow, with feet over the side ready to jump on the instant, we next would come to heavier pieces, where again the process of hauling and carrying was resorted to; and in this manner for nearly an hour we worked, until at length we got over the worst portion, and came across to the other side, where some clearer water was ready to receive us.

In the accustomed life of an arctic voyager such occurrences as I have now mentioned are considered nothing. They are habitual to him, and he heeds them no more than one of the commonest things in the world. Anything like danger about them he never thinks of. It never enters his mind that there is a possibility of his being launched into eternity in one moment by the boat and crew being suddenly crushed between two of the floes, or himself canted from a piece of ice and thrown underneath, to be taken away, for ever, by the current, before his shipmates can save him. This, or anything akin to it, never comes across his mind; and yet, to the inexperienced, or the quiet dweller at home, these dangers will appear in all their force. I had seen too much of rough and adventurous life to

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hesitate, or wish to shrink back, however great the danger. Of course I was anxious for the men, and was frequently calling upon them to be cautious. I was responsible for their safety, even more than for the safety of the boat; and I felt then more ready to do anything myself than that they should do it. And yet I could not help forgetting care, respon sibility, and all, as with a merry laugh and witty observation they performed this rather heavy portion of their labour. The morning was cold; yet we were warm with the exercise, and our countenances glowed again with health and vigour. I could not help looking at the men in such a moment with positive pleasure. And then, at last, what a wild hurrah and joyous shout was given as we launched the boat once more into her proper element! And this, too, at an hour of the morning when all good folks are supposed to be asleep!

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CHAP. XXI.

"

AGAIN AT WHALER POINT. -VARIETY OF PROVISIONS LEFT THERE. PRIMITIVE BREAKFAST.- HONEST BRIGANDS. 66 REFUGE CAMP. THICK FOG. ROUGH SLEEPING COUCHES. THE "PRINCE ALBERT" NOT IN SIGHT. ICE CLOSING IN UPON THE HARBOUR. NO EGRESS FROM IT.

THERE. IDEAS SUGCLEARER WEATHER.

MR. MATTHIAS' GRAVE.—THE "PRINCE ALBERT" COMES IN

We found no further difficulty in landing. The tide was evidently ebbing fast, and it appeared to be near low water. Accordingly, giving directions to haul the boat up high and dry above the change of tide, I hurried away to the tent.

A hasty glance around convinced me that no one had visited the spot since I had last left it; but to make sure, if I had any doubt (for hope, however faint, yet lingered in me), I had the two cylinders brought, and examined once more. No one had added a line. since that which I myself had placed there. I therefore put in the extra document I had brought with