Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
But there was no mountainous land. It was clear to the British
explorers that Wilkes had erred by several miles in the location of
the north eastern extent of the landmass he claimed to have dis-
covered.
If the coast was illusory, the icebergs were not:
We found we were fast closing this chain of bergs, so closely
packed together that we could distinguish no opening through which
the ships could pass, the waves breaking violently against them, dash-
ing huge masses of pack ice against the precipitous faces of the bergs;
now lifting them nearly to their summit, then forcing them again far
beneath their water-line, and sometimes rending them into a multi-
tude of brilliant fragments against their projecting points.
Sublime and magnificent as such a scene must have appeared un-
der different circumstances, to us it was awful, if not appalling. For
eight hours we had been gradually drifting towards what to human
eyes appeared inevitable destruction: the high waves and deep rolling
of our ships rendered towing with the boats impossible, and our situ-
ation the more painful and embarrassing from our inability to make
any effort to avoid the dreadful calamity that seemed to await us.
In moments like these comfort and peace of mind could only be
obtained by casting our cares upon that Almighty Power which had
already so often interposed to save us when human skill was wholly
unavailing. Convinced that he is under the protection and guidance of
a merciful God, the Christian awaits the issue of events firm and undis-
mayed, and with calm resignation prepares for whatever He may or-
der. His serenity of mind surprises and strengthens, but never forsakes
him; and thus, possessing his soul in peace, he can with the greater ad-
vantage watch every change of circumstance that may present itself as
a means of escape.
