Disruption of the Old Ice, and formation of New.--Return through
the Narrows to the Eastward.--Proceed to examine the Coast to the
Northeastward.--Fury's Anchor broken.--Stand over to Igloolik to
look for Winter-quarters.--Excursion to the Head of Quilliam
Creek.--Ships forced to the Westward by Gales of Wind--A Canal
sawed through the Ice, and the Ships secured in their Winter
Station.--Continued Visits of the Esquimaux, and Arrival of some of
the Winter Island Tribe.--Proposed Plan of Operations in the
ensuing Spring.

A light air springing up from the eastward on the morning of the 8th, we
took advantage of it to run up the margin of the fixed ice, which was
now, perhaps, half a mile farther to the westward, in consequence of
small pieces being occasionally detached from it, than it had been when
we tacked off it ten days before.

The pools on the floes were now so hardly frozen, that skating and
sliding were going on upon them the whole day, though but a week before
it had been dangerous to venture upon them.

This latter circumstance, together with the fineness of the weather, and
the tempting appearance of the shore of Cockburn Island, which seemed
better calculated for travelling than any that we had seen, combined to
induce me to despatch another party to the westward, with the hope of
increasing, by the only means within our reach, our knowledge of the
lands and sea in that direction. Lieutenant Reid and Mr. Bushnan were
once more selected for that service, to be accompanied by eight men, a
large number being preferred, because by this means only is it
practicable to accomplish a tolerably long journey, especially on
account of the additional weight of warm clothing which the present
advanced state of the season rendered indispensable. Lieutenant Reid was
furnished with six days' provisions, and directed to land where most
practicable on the northern shore, and thence to pursue his journey to
the westward as far as his resources would admit, gaining all possible
information that might be useful or interesting.

On the 14th, while an easterly breeze continued, the water increased
very much in breadth to the westward of the fixed floe to which we were
attached; several lanes opening out, and leaving in some places a
channel not less than three miles in width. At two P.M., the wind
suddenly shifting to the westward, closed up every open space in a few
hours, leav