616 THREE CHEERS FOR THE SUN. 



mas dinner. Then, in the evening, we had our usual thin 

 soup. So ended Christmas Day. 



"January 1, 1873. Poor dinner for New Year's Day 

 mouldy bread and short allowance." 



* 



An observation made by Mr. Meyer on the evening of 

 January 6th showed that their floe had drifted into lati- 

 tude 72 T north, longitude 60 40' 45" west. This was 

 such good news that our friend John says that he treated 

 himself to an extra pipe of tobacco ; he still seems to 

 write in most happy spirits, although the thermometer was 

 down to 31 below zero, with no fire; they had even to 

 cook their scanty meat by means of a lamp. His entry 

 for January 16th is well worth a place : 



"January 16th. No wind ; very thick. The glass ranges 

 from 26 degrees to 31 degrees below zero. Hans caught 

 a seal to-day, thank God, for we are very weak. Our 

 light would have been finished to-morrow, and our cook- 

 ing also. But God sent this seal to save us ; thanks to his 

 holy name ! It has been so all the time. Just as we were 

 played out something came along. I am afraid I have a 

 touch of the scurvy. A little raw meat will drive it out, 

 I hope." 



There is little of moment to record about this time, but 

 Herron's diary scarcely flags in interest ; a few short items 

 will certainly prove interesting, as they show the hopes 

 and fears and the unwavering trust in God of this good 

 man : 



"January 19. Clear; light wind; 39 degrees below zero. 

 The sun has made his appearance to-day. We gave him 

 three cheers, hoping we will be able to start a month from 

 now. Thank God for this day ! we have long wished to 

 see it. The sun has brought us luck in the way of a seal 

 Joe caught. The finest display of northern lights that I 

 ever saw came off to-night. A party went about six miles 

 to-day to open water, where they saw many seals. 



"January 20. Light wind north ; very cloudy and thick ; 



