The weather turned bitterly
cold, and the circulating pipes of the motor froze and burst. This was
a more serious accident, but it was temporarily repaired while
Grenfell bivouaced ashore, sleeping at night under the stars with a
bed of juniper boughs for a mattress and an open fire to keep him
warm.
Ice now blocked the way to the southward, though open leads of water
to the northward offered opportunity to retreat, and, with the motor
boat in a crippled condition, it was decided to return to St. Anthony
and make an attempt, with fresh equipment, to try a route through the
Straits of Belle Isle.
They were still some miles from St. Anthony when they found it
necessary to abandon the motor boat in one of the small harbor
settlements. Leaving it in charge of the people, Grenfell borrowed a
small rowboat. Rowing the small boat through open lanes and hauling it
over obstructing ice pans they made slow progress and the month of May
was nearing its close when one day the pack suddenly drove in upon
them.
They were fairly caught. Ice surrounded them on every side.
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