IN THE OFFING, 311 extent — which was of little importance — but the crust of ice was thicker than anywhere else. This was a most fortunate circum- stance, and the holes made in sounding were kept open, so that the amount of diminution in the base of the island could be estimated every day. This diminution was slow but sure, and, making allow- ance for the unfortunate fact that the island was drifting into warmer waters, it was decided that it was impossible for it to last another three weeks. The next week, from the 19th to the 25th May, the weather was very bad. A fearfal storm broke over the island, accompanied by flash after flash of lightning and peals of thunder. Tlie sea rose high, lashed by a powerful north-west wind, and its waves broke over the doomed island, making it tremble ominously. The little colony were on the watch, ready on an emergency to embark in the raft, the scaffolding of which was nearly finished, and some provisions and fresh water were taken on board. Rain heavy enough to penetrate to the ice-crust fell in large quantities during this storm, and melted it in many places. On the slopes of some of the hills the earth was washed away, leaving the white foundations bare. These ravines were hastily filled up with soil to protect the ice from the action of the warm air and rain, and but for this precaution the soil would have been everywhere per- forated. Great havoc was caused amongst the woods by this storm ; the earth and sand were washed away from the roots of the trees, which fell in large numbers. In a single night the aspect of the country between the lake and the former Port Barnett was completely changed. A few groups of birch trees and thickets of firs alone remained — a fact significant of approaching decomposition, which no human skill could prevent ! Every one knew and felt that the ephemeral island was gradually succumbing — every one, except perhaps Thomas Black, who was still gloomily indifferent to all that was going on. On the 23d of May, during the storm, the hunter Sabine left the house in the thick fog, and was nearly drowned in a large hole which had opened during the night on the site formerly occupied by the principal house of the factory. Hitherto, as we are aware, the house, three-quarters submerged, and buried beneath a mass of earth and sand, had remained fixed in the ice-crust beneath the island ; but now the sea had evidently
