THE

"FELIX."

-MOVEMENTS OF THE BERGS. MELVILLE'S BAY, OR THE "DEVIL'S NIP." SHARP FROST.

SCORESBY'S DESCRIPTION OF THE POLAR ICE.

FOG.

Sunday 21st. WHEN I went on deck the next morning about eight, I found the weather very thick, with heavy rain. Our position seemed to me but little improved from that of the past night, for numerous "bergs" of every size and shape appeared to obstruct our path. A fresh breeze was blowing from the S.E., and our ship was bounding nimbly to it in water as smooth as a mill-pond. But no sooner did she get to the end of her course one way, than she had to retrace her steps and try it another. We seemed completely hemmed in on every side by heavy packed ice, rough uneven hummocks, or a complete fleet of enormous bergs. Like a frightened hare did the poor thing seem to fly, here, there, and everywhere, vainly striving to escape from the apparent trap she had got into. It was a strange and

LABYRINTH OF ICEBERGS.

111

novel sight. I could hardly realise it. It seemed as though I were merely witnessing the representation of it, and was, myself, free from sharing in any of its undoubted danger. For three or four hours,—indeed ever since we had entered this basin of water, we had been vainly striving to find some passage out of it, in as near a direction as possible to our proper course; but neither this way, nor any other way, nor even that in which we had entered (for the passage had again suddenly closed), could we find one. At last, about ten A. M., an opening between two large bergs was discovered to the N.W. Without a moment's delay our gallant little bark was pushed into it, and soon we found ourselves threading through a complete labyrinth of ice rocks, if they may be so called, where the very smallest of them, ay, or even a fragment from one of them, if falling on us, would have splintered into ten thousand pieces the gallant vessel that had thus thrust herself among them, and would have buried her crew irretrievably. Wonderful indeed was it all. In truth, I cannot well describe the picture as it came before me. It was a living reality at the time; now it is but as a dream!

Numerous lanes and channels, not unlike the paths and streets of a mighty city, branched off in several directions; but our course was in those that led us most to the northward. Onward we pursued our

way in this manner for about two hours, when, suddenly, on turning out of a passage between some lofty bergs, we found the view opening to us, a field of ice appearing at the termination of the channel, and at the extreme end a schooner fast to a "floe," that is, lying alongside the flat ice, as by a quay. The wind was fair for us, blowing a moderate breeze, so that we soon ran down to her in saucy style, rounding to just ahead of her position, and making fast in like manner. To our great joy we found that, as we had suspected, and, indeed, knew, as soon as colours were hoisted, it was indeed Sir John Ross in the "Felix." Here, then, was cause of gratulation to us. We had now overtaken one of the vessels that had sailed before us; and, what was more, should in all probability have her as a consort through the dangerous navigation of the ice we were still to encounter. Hardly were we fast, when Commander Phillips, who had accompanied Sir John in his little vessel, came running over the ice to us. In another moment he was on board, and I was soon presented to him by Captain Forsyth. Mutual congratulations and inquiries were speedily given and received, and a cordial invitation given to Captain Forsyth and myself, to dine on board the "Felix." Glad was I of an opportunity to see the gallant old veteran, whose name and writings had latterly been so frequently

FALL IN WITH SIR JOHN ROSS.

113

before me. All ceremony was dispensed with, and I was glad of it; for, not being one of the navy, as the other three gentlemen were, I could not follow my commander's example in putting on an uniform cap and coat to meet Sir John. The "Felix" I found to be much about our own size, but differently equipped and rigged. She had far less "beam,” and was inferior, as regarded appearance, in every respect. But she was well fortified, and possessed some advantages which we had not. Directly we got on board, Sir John Ross came to meet us. Respect, esteem, admiration, all were blended together in my mind, as, in returning the friendly shake of the hand he offered me, I involuntarily gave more heartiness to my manner than is usual with strangers. It is not for me, here, either to describe him, or to say one word more about him, than the course of my narrative compels me to do. I saw before me him who, for four long years and more, had been incarcerated, hopelessly, with his companions, in those icy regions to which we ourselves were bound. There he was, that brave and fearless old man! he who had said, in all but tones of bitter anguish, as he beheld his men and officers around him, day after day in miserable bondage

"There was little change in the now unavoidable sameness of our occupations and amusements.

I

On

this and many other days we tracked animals and did not see them; carried guns and did not fire; watched for the invisible sun that we might at least know it was still in existence; and were not sorry when (I cannot say the day was done, where all was night), but when we might at least end another of our own days by going to bed."

I was struck with astonishment! It was nothing, in comparison, for the young and robust to come on such a voyage; but that he, at his time of life, when men generally think it right—and right, perhaps, it is, too- to sit quietly down at home by their own firesides, should brave the hardship and danger once again, was indeed surprising.

With Commander Phillips I was very much pleased. There was no formality about him. He is a hardy seaman when needed, and a gentlemanly officer as occasion required. I passed several agreeable hours in his company; and I cannot refrain from tendering him my thanks for his uniform courtesy to me, who was, nominally, but a civilian, and at any time only a humble blue-jacket in the mercantile marine.

In the evening both vessels had to move into another position, in consequence of the bergs approaching too closely towards us. To watch these mountain, icy monsters in a calm, as they slowly and