of these people, an officer of the Dorothea accompanied them to their abode at the head of a small cove, about four miles to the southward of Magdalena Bay.

They had here a comfortable wooden hut well lined with moss, divided into three compartments; in one of which there were three carcasses of fine venison, and many wild ducks.

It was with extreme pleasure we noticed, in this retired spot, probably the most northern and most desolate habitation of our globe, a spirit of devotion rarely exercised in civilized countries. On landing from the boat, and approaching their residence, these people knelt upon its threshold, and offered up a prayer with fervor and evident sincerity. The exact nature of the prayer we did not learn, but it was, no doubt, one of thanksgiving, and we conIcluded it was a custom which these recluses were in the habit of observing on their safe return to their habitation. It may, at all events, be regarded as an instance of the beneficial effect which seclusion from the busy world, and a contemplation of the works of Nature, almost invariably produce upon the hearts of even the most uneducated part of mankind.

This is one of the few remaining establish

ments at Spitzbergen still upheld by the merchants of Archangel; who, during the last century, and under the auspices of the Russian government, formed a settlement in Bell Sound, upon this coast,* and who still send annually † a small vessel to bring home the peltry and sea-horse teeth that have been collected by their servants during the year.

*Coxe's Russian Discoveries.

† 1818.

CHAPTER II.

Heavy pres

Intricate situation of the vessels.

They

Quit Magdalena Bay. — Revisit the Ice. The Trent driven
into the packed ice. Her dangerous situation.-The ice
opens. The ships enter and are beset. Cause of the
leak in the Trent discovered and remedied.
sure of the ice.
regain the open sea. Walruses make a formidable at-
tack upon the boats of the Trent.-Their habits described.
-Expedition proceeds to Fair Haven. - Description of
the anchorage. Numerous graves and remains of habita-
tions discovered.

June 1818.-THE expedition quitted Magdalena Bay on the 7th June, to renew the examination of the ice; and, after steering a few leagues to the northward, found it precisely in the same situation and state as we had left it on the 2nd instant.

We were no sooner clear of the land, than we concluded, by a heavy swell rolling up from the south-west, that it had been blowing hard at sea during the time we were snugly at anchor, and that we had thus escaped at least one gale of wind. The breeze was now mo

derating, and we stood along the margin of the ice, searching for an opening, and remarking as we went what very little effect had been produced upon it by the gale.

While thus occupied the breeze suddenly deserted us, and the vessels being rendered unmanagable by the heavy swell which continued to roll towards the ice, they were, in spite of all our efforts, driven into the pack. With a view of averting this occurrence, the boats had been employed in towing the vessels until the latest moment, but unfortunately those of the Trent were cut off from communication with her by the breaking of the line.

By the aid of a light breeze of wind off the ice, both vessels succeeded in gaining the open sea, but they had scarcely proceeded an hour before they were again becalmed, and, in spite of every exertion, they were a second time driven into the packed ice.

The turbulent scene from which we had but recently escaped was but a faint prelude to that which now presented itself. During the interval the swell had materially increased, and now rolled furiously in upon the ice. The pieces at the edge of the pack were at one time wholly immersed in the sea, and at the next raised far above their natural line of flotation, while

those further in, being more extensive, were alternately depressed or elevated at either extremity as the advancing wave forced its way along. The see-saw motion which was thus produced was alarming, not merely in appearance, but, in fact; and must have proved fatal to any vessel that had encountered it, as floes of ice, several yards in thickness, were continually crashing and breaking in pieces, and the sea for miles was covered with fragments ground so small that they actually formed a thick, pasty substance in nautical language termed "brash ice"-which extended to the depth of five feet.

Amidst this giddy element, our whole attention was occupied in endeavouring to place the bow of the vessel, the strongest part of her frame, in the direction of the most formidable pieces of ice-a manœuvre which, though likely to be attended with the loss of the bowsprit, was yet preferable to encountering the still greater risk of having the broadside of the vessel in contact with it. For this would have subjected her to the chance of dipping her gunwale under the floes as she rolled; an accident which, had it occurred, would either have laid open her side or have overset the vessel at once. In either case the event would probably have proved fatal to all on board, as it