nearly six o'clock
The three seal-skins first procured were already about half tanned , and were formed into tarpaulins , being split in two lengthwise , sewed together at the ends , and again sewed to the edges of the combings with seal-sinews , forming a cover for the guns , and also by means of a gathering cord of fishing-line looped through their edges , capable of being drawn up and fastened at about the height of the waist of a man when kneeling , thus forming an additional protection against a breaking sea . The oars , with one exception , were cut down into paddles by Peter , for the paddle , in ice navigation , is incomparably superior to the oar , which requires open water for effectual use . One oar , however , was left of its original length for a support to the McIntosh , which , being about eight feet square , and furnished with brass eyelets , was easily fitted as a sail ; and owing to its black hue , was especially suitable for a signal of distress among the ice-islands of the Gulf . It was nearly six o'clock when these repairs were completed , and the party sat down to dinner , for , except a lunch of cold roast duck , they had eaten nothing since morning . The salt water , concentrated by freezing in the Russian manner , and left to boil down the night before , had produced about two pounds of good salt ; and Peter , taking his knife , soon made a neat tub , like a miniature butter firkin , in which to preserve it . After dinner it was proposed that a short walk over the intervening ice to the sealing-grounds should be undertaken , and headed by Peter , with an axe to try any suspicious ice , the adventurers reached the floe in about fifteen minutes ' walk . Climbing the higher shore of the berg , they advanced noiselessly , and without being observed by the seals , gazed down upon the scene of yesterday 's battle .