and in a few moments, before the
people on the ice could return, or indeed realise the situation, she had
plunged into the darkness and disappeared!

This was a terrible catastrophe. There were nineteen men, women, and
children actually adrift upon a mass of ice, with a very limited supply
of provisions; and the only means of gaining _terra firma_ two small
boats. These were got ready, but the loose ice rendered their use
impossible. The _Polaris_ came in sight, but paid no attention to
signals. So the voyagers remained drifting on the ice-floe, about four
miles in circumference, but by no means assured from disruption, which
might occur at any moment.

The ice continued to drift, and now and then pieces broke off. On the
16th the dreaded event occurred--the floe parted--the castaway party on
one side, and the house, etcetera, on the other. But by means of the
boats the stores were recovered, and then a fresh floe was occupied,
whereon snow-huts were erected, Esquimaux fashion.

Time passed. October went and November came; food was scarce, and the
exploring party were "allowanced." But two seals, less cautious than
their companions, were at length captured--nearly all the dogs had
already been eaten, and fresh food was absolutely necessary. The seals
caught were scientifically killed, the blood was drunk, and "the eyes,"
says Captain Tyson, "given to the youngest child." (The animal, being
cut up, is divided into portions which are distributed by lot to the
various candidates for the delicate morsels, of which the brain is
considered the daintiest.)

We need scarcely detail the daily round and common tasks of the drifting
party on the ice. In January Davis Strait was reached, and a ray of
sunlight cheered them on the 19th, so the progress southward had been
considerable. The German seamen did not behave well and caused
considerable anxiety, but there was no long disturbance.

At the beginning of the month of March the ice reached Cumberland Gulf,
and on the 11th of that month it broke up with direful noises, leaving
the whole party on a small piece, which being fortunately very thick
continued its journey southward very gently. Seals were now captured in
abundance. One of the Esquimaux also shot a bear. Then the floe was
quitted, and the pack ice reached. After that things became worse. A
gale arose and blew away their tent and bedding, and unless they had all
clung to the boat it would have been