The two vessels remained together a day or two, when they parted company, the _Prince Albert_ to return home, and the _Advance_ to make further explorations. It was off Leopold Island, on the 23d of August, that the "mad Yankee" took the lead through the vast masses of floating ice, so vividly described by Mr. Snow, and so graphically portrayed by the sailor-artist. "The way was before them," says Mr. Snow, who stood upon the deck of the _Advance_; "the stream of ice had to be either gone through boldly, or a long _detour_ made; and, despite the heaviness of the stream, _they pushed the vessel through in her proper course_. Two or three shocks, as she came in contact with some large pieces, were unheeded; and the moment the last block was past the bow, the officer sung out,'So: steady as she goes on her course;' and came aft as if nothing more than ordinary sailing had been going on. I observed our own little bark nobly following in the American's wake; and as I afterward learned, she got through it pretty well, though not without much doubt of the propriety of keeping on in such procedure after the 'mad Yankee,' as he was called by our mate." From Leopold Island the _Advance_ proceeded to the northwest, and on the 25th reached Cape Riley, another amorphous mass, not so regular and precipitate as Leopold Island, but more lofty. Here a strong tide, setting in to the shore, drifted the _Advance_ toward the beach, where she stranded. Around her were small bergs and large masses of floating ice, all under the influence of the strong current. It was about two o'clock in the afternoon when she struck. By diligent labor in removing every thing from her deck to a small _floe_, she was so lightened, that at four o'clock the next morning she floated, and soon every thing was properly replaced. [Illustration: THE ADVANCE STRANDED AT CAPE RILEY.]