The rise and fall of the tide was only about five feet at this time, but the moon was making for full and the tides were increasing.

The appearance of ice emphasized the importance of getting away promptly.
It would be a serious matter to be prisoned on the beach by the pack.
The boats were soon afloat in the shallows, and after a hurried breakfast all hands worked hard getting our gear and stores aboard.

A mishap befell us when we were launching the boats.

We were using oars as rollers, and three of these were broken, leaving us short for the journey that had still to be undertaken.

The preparations took longer than I had expected; indeed, there seemed to be some reluctance on the part of several men to leave the barren safety of the little beach and venture once more on the ocean.