DISCOVER A GRAVE. 243 ascent. Our clothes were torn in one or two places by the sharp craggy rocks, and our boots were cut in an equally sorry way. About half-way down or more on the top of the S. W. point, we observed what must evidently have been a grave. It was in a most singular spot; a ledge of high rock here formed itself into a small oblong peninsula, in size, at the top, a little larger than the grave, and almost overhanging the sea, the waves of which could be faintly heard at a great depth below. This peninsula was connected with the main island by an extremely narrow isthmus of rock, which we found it required great steadiness and care to traverse. We then had to ascend, or rather climb, from stone to stone to the grave, and there we found the only approach to verdure we had yet seen. Some moss and mould was laid in the usual form, and a few small bones were observed around. Whether or not there was really any one buried there it was impossible to say, as I could discover no signs of any name, or any token whereby to ascertain the truth. We got down to the boat without any mishap, and soon afterwards were on board. I reported the result of my examination, and then descended to the cabin to change my torn apparel, and, afterwards, get my dinner, which I ate with a keen relish. Captain Forsyth at first hesitated about making sail from under the lee of the island on account of the wind increasing and the sea getting up; but, ultimately, hoisting in the boats, he stood out gallantly from the land, upon our proper course. I was glad to see him do so, as ours was no common voyage where every threatening storm makes people cautious. But I was equally disappointed when I found that, he deemed it right to heave to, with a fair wind and clear water, at ten P. M., in consequence of the gale increasing, and a high sea running. Some bergs occasionally appeared, and we knew not what might be ahead of us in the shape of ice, as the weather was not quite so clear as it had been; but it was daylight now nearly, though not quite, all the twenty-four hours, and all danger as I thought, but perhaps wrongly, could be avoided. However, there we were, hove to; and, for the first time these last eight weeks, we lit a candle, for an hour only, in the cabin. HAUL IN FOR PORT LEOPOLD.—THE HARBOUR BLOCKED BY HEAVY DRIFT ICE." 66 66 A LANDING EFFECTED WITH NORTH STAR." NO TRACES OF STEAM LAUNCH AND PROVISIONS FOR THE MISSING EXPEDITION. HEAVY TASK IN RETURNING THROUGH THE ICE.-H. M. S. ASSISTANCE."- -PROCEED UP PRINCE REGENT'S INLET. ICE BLOCKING UP THE VARIOUS HARBOURS. IDEA OF PROCEEDING BY BOAT TO LORD MAYOR'S BAY. Tuesday, August 20th. AT seven A. M. the following day, I was on deck again, and found the ship still hove to, the wind blowing hard and a high sea running. No land could be seen anywhere, on account of the thickness of the weather. Thus we continued until noon, when it being more moderate, sail was again made, and we stood away for Port Leopold, from which we considered ourselves to be distant about 100 miles. In the afternoon we ran through some loose ice, apparently the break up of a berg, demolished by the gale; but, except occasionally one or two small pieces, we saw nothing to interrupt us. The wind increased a little more towards evening, but it was a splendid breeze, and we were running about nine knots an hour. Not wishing to lose the advantage of so fine an opportunity of getting on, and perceiving Captain Forsyth was again, as he told me, intending to heave to, I volunteered to him to remain up on deck all night, looking out myself (as he said he had no confidence in his mate), if he would run on. This he immediately agreed to, and though I was positively wearied out by the exertions of the past day or two, and want of natural rest, I cheerfully prepared myself for the night duty. At ten P. M. Captain Forsyth retired to his cabin, and I was then left to myself on the look-out; the second mate attending to his duties as regarded the sails, &c. The weather was thick and hazy, and no very great distance could be seen; but we were going along at a rapid rate, sometimes ten knots an hour. I took my station alternately on the foreyard, in the "crow's nest," forward in the bow, or wherever I could best see. At times I reclined at my whole length upon the foreyard, steadying myself with my feet twisted in between the two parts of the jib halyards, and my arm round the fall of the topgallant yard rope. As my heart leaped with joy at the breeze, and my thoughts revelled in the prospect that fancy put before me, I felt myself, up aloft there, like some spirit flying upon the wings of the wind. I was alone; trying to pierce the darkness ahead. Though I had not actually charge of the deck, yet, for a time, the deck might be said to be my own. I could feel the bonnie little craft bounding under me. See how she skims across the surface of the deep, as though she were alive; the wild waves leaping over her bulwarks in vain attempt to stay her progress, or deluge her decks with heavy seas. "Give it to her! Let her fly!" I mentally ejaculated; for I could see, in fancy, some hundred or more human beings-fellow creatures- brethren of our own calling-noble, brave, and daring fellows, stretching out their arms to us that we might snatch them from their misery. With these thoughts, I sprang to my feet; one glance below; seven bells (half-past eleven) was striking; the curling waves dashed along each side of the ship, and the seas rolled fast and furious after her. It was good! her speed had in no wise lessened. I turned my glance ahead. A moment more, and I fancied that a huge black mass was rising out of the clouds before me. And yet it could not be. Hardly had we run ninety miles since last noon, and now we have entered the straits which bear the |