It was with no small amount of thankfulness that on the 9th of September we emerged from the cold, grim clutches that seemed only too ready to detain us for another winter in the realms of the Ice King, and that we felt our ship rise and fall once more on the bosom of an undoubted ocean swell. It was, indeed, a joyous sensation to look around and see nothing but blue water, and, with the exception of a few straggling bergs, not a single speck of ice in sight. This broad sheet of water had for some time been known to us, having been observed from the summits of various hills that we had ascended, and all our energies of late had been concentrated into reaching it. We had a hard fight, but perseverance and patience ultimately proved triumphant. [Illustration: ALLMAN BAY.] On first reaching it, we found it to be coated with a thin layer of young ice, which offered a great deal of hindrance, although it had not the effect of checking us altogether. Our course through this young ice could be distinctly traced for a long distance astern, by a broad lane of water resembling the Suez Canal. At 6 P.M. we passed Cape Sabine, and distinguished our cairn on the top of Brevoort Island apparently untouched. Ahead was Cape Isabella, towards which we steered. FOOTNOTES: [1] I have already referred to this discovery in my remarks on the migrations of the Eskimos, at p. 69. [2] At this time the "Pandora" was cruising in the entrance of Smith Sound, with an impenetrable barrier of ice blocking her way to the northward. [3] On this day the "Pandora" succeeded in landing a party on Cape Isabella for the second time, searching for a record. [4] On the 27th the "Pandora" was driven out of Smith Sound by a gale. CHAPTER XXVII. HOMEWARD BOUND. "Still in the yawning trough the vessel reels, Ingulfed beneath two fluctuating hills; On either side they rise, tremendous scene, A long dark melancholy vale between. The balanced ship, now forward, now behind, Still felt the impression of the waves and wind, And to the right and left by turns inclined." FALCONER. "_Montano._--What from the cape can you discern at sea? _1st Gent._--Nothing at all: it is a high-wrought flood; I cannot, 'twixt the heaven and the main, Descry a sail. _Montano._--Let's to the seaside, ho! _3rd Gent._--Come, let's do so; For every moment is expectancy Of more arrivance. (_Within._) A sail! A sail! _4th Gent._--The town is empty; on the brow of the sea Stand ranks of people, and they cry--a sail!" _Othello._