48

AMUSEMENTS ON THE ICE.

narrow leads of water, but with all our precaution we could not distinguish any of the numerous bergs we passed, until within 100 yards, when their bright summits towering over our comparatively fragile vessels, warned us to avoid such a dangerous locality. At 11 P.M. we were obliged to make fast, having reached the termination of the lead, but not for some time after did we observe a friendly berg, within eighty yards of our position.

Here we remained drifting, with the floe-berg in company, until 11 A. M. on Thursday, 24th, when the fog having cleared a little, (after continuing thirty-two hours,) we again saw our friend the Sugar-loaf, and by observations at noon found ourselves in exactly the same latitude as yesterday.

At 8 P. M. made fast to a floe. The weather being fine the scene on the ice became quite animated; most of the men resorted to the floe, and there amused themselves in various ways.

Leap-frog, cricket, and foot-ball were the favourite games, and loud and hearty laughter resounded across the icy field, disturbing the little rotges in their flight to the northward, much to the annoyance of our sportsmen. All were happy, and the chiefs of the expedition must have experienced great pleasure as spectators of a scene, in which

AMUSEMENTS ON THE ICE.

49

officers and men were enjoying themselves under such novel circumstances.

11.30 found ourselves drifting on to an iceberg; we therefore cast off and proceeded in tow of steamers.

I had almost forgotten to speak of the fate of two dogs, which together with nine others were obtained at Lievely, and distributed between the ships. The dogs as well as the men were allowed a run on the ice during our forced stoppage. All of them returned on the expiration of their leave,

E

50

SAD FATE OF TWO DOGS.

except the two above-mentioned: preferring death to slavery, they would not allow themselves to be captured, although the vessels were detained, and every endeavour used to get them; they were, therefore, left to their fate-which was indeed a sad one-on the moving floe.

Friday, 25th. Wind westerly, with another fog. At 5 A. M. made fast to a floe piece, and there remained till 3 P. M., when we again proceeded in tow as before. Shortly after moving we were surprised to hear the howlings of dogs on the floe.

A boat was despatched, and there sure enough were the dogs, but as intractable as on the previous evening. Being foggy, the boat was soon recalled, and bidding a last adieu to the poor animals, we steamed onward.

Some part of the "Intrepid's" machinery having become deranged she was obliged to cast off, and passing astern, made fast to the "North Star." At 5 P. M. she again resumed her station ahead.

We were now abreast of the Devil's Thumb, standing out in bold relief against the eternal glacier as a background. An immense number of bergs lay grounded near the shore, whilst, in many places, the glacier edge, extending to the