composed of bay-ice, or light-ice, being more flexible, endure the same swell without any destructive effort. "The occasional rapid motion of fields, with the strange effects produced by such immense bodies on any opposing substance, is one of the most striking objects the Polar Seas present, and is certainly the most terrific. They not unfrequently acquire a rotatory movement, whereby their circumference attains a velocity of several miles per hour. A field thus in motion, coming in contact with another at rest, or more especially with another having a contrary direction of movement, produces a dreadful shock. A body of more than ten thousand millions of tons in weight, meeting with resistance when in motion, produces consequences which it is scarcely possible to conceive. The weaker field is crushed with an awful noise; sometimes the destruction is mutual; pieces of huge dimensions and weight are not unfrequently piled upon the top, to the height of twenty or thirty feet, while a proportionate quantity is depressed beneath. The view of these stupendous effects in safety exhibits a picture sublimely grand, but where there is danger of being overwhelmed, terror and dismay must be the predominant feelings. The whale-fishers at all times require unremitting vigilance to secure their safety, but scarcely in any DESCRIPTION OF POLAR ICE. 121 situation so much as when navigating amidst these fields; in foggy weather, they are particularly dangerous, as their motions cannot then be distinctly observed. It may easily be imagined that the strongest ship is but an insignificant impediment between two fields in motion." 122 CHAP. X. SEVEN VESSELS IN SIGHT. ICE OPENS. SAIL MADE. Ir was through such ice and in such a region as I have just described that we were now to make our way as best we could. Winds were not so much what we desired, as clear water; and the movements of the vast bodies that opened and shut, apparently at pleasure, and as if by some mighty agency, were to be watched by us before aught else. It was agreed what we should proceed in company with the "Felix:" we should help one another in case of need, and at least have the pleasure of one another's company. About six P. M., while Sir John Ross, Commander Phillips, and ourselves, were in the cabin of the "Prince Albert," enjoying an agreeable evening, it was reported that the "Felix" was making a stir, and that the fog was clearing away. A clear lead had been seen to the north-west by the ice-masters; and more water was visible beyond it. No time was, therefore, lost. Sail was made on each ship, and, leaving the friendly floe, to which we had been fast, we both stood away; first to the south-east, to clear some small bergs, and then in the opposite direction. Sir John Ross, as senior in rank, age, and experience, took the lead, we keeping at some small distance behind; but it was soon discovered that in sailing qualities we were infinitely superior. The weather brightened considerably, and it became a beautiful clear evening, with a moderate breeze from the north-east and north. The wind, consequently, was against us, and we had to beat up through the channel of open water that we had entered upon. It was here that we first became fully aware of the excellent sailing qualities of our little vessel. She fairly doubled upon the "Felix" in two tacks; and was soon far to windward. She flew round to her helm, when staying, in an instant; and forged ahead at the same time as prettily as any Queen's cutter could have done. Whether we had by this time got her in better trim, or whether it was because the water was so smooth, I cannot say; but, no doubt, both combined in making her work so well. We could turn and turn in short boards without the smallest hesitation; now, approaching so close to a grim berg that a biscuit might have been easily thrown upon it; then, darting off from it on the instant, and running right to the very edge of the opposite floe; where, upon a turn of the helm, she would start ahead, alongside, under the impetus she had received, until gracefully falling off on the other tack, she again stretched over well to windward of the neighbourhood whence she had come. Thus did we proceed during five or six hours, with a clear sky, a brilliant sun, comparatively mild weather, and a gentle breeze. It was some of the pleasantest sailing I had yet experienced on the voyage; and it was, certainly, a sight to make one pleased. Two vessels, far inferior in size to any that were in the habit of visiting those parts, working about in the ice with a feeling of perfect security, and an apparently total indifference to the dangers of it; and ours too the smaller of the two! It was a pretty and a pleasing sight, and it was the more gratifying when, about eight P. M., news came from the "crow's nest" that seven large vessels, evidently whalers, were in sight over some bergs to the northward, apparently striving to get out of their position, and make to the southward. They were intending to go back and try the middle or lower passage, being unable to get |