Chap. VII.]
COMMUNICATE WITH THE TERROR.
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under our lee; all our apprehensions, however, of being driven again into the ice were dispelled atFeb. 27. daylight, when we saw the clear water at only two or three miles distance from us, and by 9 a.m., having weathered the westernmost point of the pack, we bore away before the wind to the northwestward along its margin.
It was a beautiful afternoon, the sun breaking through the clouds gave a life and cheerfulness to the scene around us, of which we had been many days deprived; and, with a steady moderate breeze from the south-eastward, we continued our course under all sail, the pack to our great satisfaction trending so much more to the northward, gave us good reason to hope that from it we should meet with no further obstruction.
In the evening Commander Crozier expressed by signal his wish to communicate, which I was equally glad to have the opportunity the fine weather afforded of doing; and I had the pleasure of receiving the congratulations of himself and his officers on the successful issue of our labours, notwithstanding the unfavourable circumstances under which they were commenced. I was also much gratified to learn that the officers and crew of the Terror maintained the same good health and spirits as did our own, the few cases of severe cold and bruises that some had suffered having been completely overcome by the judicious treatment of
