256 Chapter VI. 



together, looking out over the scene. And to think of 



o o 



all that has happened these four last months ! Separated 

 by sea and land and ice ; coming years, too, lying 

 between us it is all just the continuation of what 

 happened that clay. But how long is it to last ? I have 

 such difficulty in feeling that I am not to see home again 

 soon. When I begin to reflect, I know that it may be 

 long, but I will not believe it. 



" To-day, moreover, we took solemn farewell of the sun. 

 Half of its disc showed at noon for the last time above the 

 edge of the ice in the south, a flattened body, with a dull 

 reel glow, but no heat. Now we are entering the night 

 of winter. What is it bringing us ? Where shall we be 



O O 



when the sun returns ? No one can tell. To console us 

 for the loss of the sun, we have the most wonderful 

 moonlight ; the moon goes round the sky night and day. 

 There is, strange to say, little pressure just now ; only 

 an occasional slight squeeze. But the ice often opens 

 considerably ; there are large pieces of water in several 

 directions ; to-day there were some good-sized ones to the 

 south." 



" Fridav, October 27th. The soundings this mornino- 



* ' O O 



showed 52 fathoms (95 m.) of water. According to 

 observations taken yesterday afternoon, we are about 

 3' farther north, and a little farther west than on 

 the i Qth. It is disgusting the way we are muddling 

 about here. We must have got into a hole where the ice 

 grinds round and round, and can't get farther. And the 



