The Winter Night. 223 



The stormy seas have broken over them, and they have 

 been rolled here and there in the water on the deck ; 

 they have half hanged themselves in their leashes, 

 howling miserably ; they have had the hose played over 

 them every time the deck was washed ; they have been 

 sea-sick ; in bad as in good weather they have had to 

 lie on the spot hard fate had chained them to, without 

 more exercise than going backwards and forwards the 

 length of their chains. It is thus you are treated, you 



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splendid animals, who are to be our stay in the hour 

 of need ! When that time conies, you will, for a while 

 at least, have the place of honour. When they were 

 let loose there was a perfect storm of jubilation. They 

 rolled in the snow, washed and rubbed themselves, and 

 rushed about the ice in wild joy, barking loudly. Our 

 floe, a short time ago so lonesome and forlorn, was 

 quite a cheerful sight with this sudden population ; the 

 silence of ao-es was broken.' 



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It was our intention after this to tie up the dogs on 

 the ice. 



" Friday, September 29th. Dr. Blessing's birthday, 

 in honour of which \ve of course had a fete, our first 

 o-reat one on board. There w r as a double occasion for 



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it. Our midday observation showed us to be in 

 latitude 79 5' north ; so we had passed one more 

 decree. We had no fewer than five courses at dinner, 



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and a more than usually elaborate concert during the 

 meal. Here follows a copy of the printed menu : 



