If we don't get out to-morrow, we're locked up for one winter, at least, if not more." "Ay, and ye'll no get oot to-morrow," remarked Saunders, with a shake of his head as he looked up from the log-book in which he was making an entry.

"We're hard and fast, so we'll just have to make the best o't." Saunders was right, as the efforts of the next day proved.

The ice lay around the vessel in solid masses, as we have said, and with each of the last three tides these masses had been slightly moved.

Saws and ice chisels, therefore, had been in constant operation, and the men worked with the utmost energy, night and day, taking it by turns, and having double allowance of hot coffee served out to them.

We may mention here that the _Dolphin_ carried no spirits, except what was needed for medicinal purposes, and for fuel to several small cooking lamps that had been recently invented.