ckly, and all they could
do was, to try to screen themselves as much as possible from the
pitiless blast. Thus the night was spent in anxious fears for the
future, and dread of immediate destruction. But morning came at last,
though with little comfort to the sufferers, for the wind had
increased, the ice was up to the cabin windows, the stern-post was
found to be broken in two, and the ship otherwise seriously damaged.

In this state they could not long remain. Mr. Grenville and some of
the officers proposed to Captain Wallis that the crew should make an
attempt to get over the ice to Newark Island, as the only means of
preserving their lives.[4] At first, Captain Wallis was inclined to
reject the proposal; he saw all the danger attending such an attempt;
and it appeared to him, that they could scarcely expect to succeed in
crossing the ice through a dense fog and heavy snow-storm, without any
knowledge of the way, without a guide, and exhausted as they were by
mental and bodily suffering, and benumbed with cold.

On the other hand, he confessed that the plan presented a hope of
safety, and that it was their only hope. The ship's company were
unanimous in wishing to adopt it, and therefore Captain Wallis finally
consented.

The people then set heartily to work to consider the difficulties of
the undertaking, and the best means of meeting them. It was determined
that they should be divided into four companies, each headed by an
officer; that the strongest of the men should carry planks, to be laid
down in the most dangerous places by way of assistance to the less
able and active of the party; and that others should hold a long line
of extended rope, to be instantly available in case of any one falling
between the blocks of ice.

When all these measures were decided upon, and every man had provided
himself with what was most essential for his safety and sustenance,
they began their perilous journey at half-past one o'clock, P.M. By
three o'clock, every one had left the ship, except Captain Wallis, and
he then followed the party, accompanied by Lieutenant Ridley, of the
Marines.

To describe the dangers and difficulties the crew of the Proserpine
had to encounter is almost impossible. The snow was still falling
heavily, driving against their faces, and adhering to their hair and
eyebrows, where in a few minutes it became solid pieces of ice.
Sometimes they had to clamber over huge blocks of ice, and at other
times