MEASUREMENT OF AN ICEBERG. 55 



We were all ready for sea, and impatient to be off. 

 Our Arctic wardrobe was complete with a few pur- 

 chases made of the natives in exchange for pork and 

 beans. We were thoroughly prepared for the ice en- 

 counters. The lines were all neatly and carefully 

 coiled ; the ice-anchors and ice-hooks and ice-saws and 

 ice-chisels and ice-poles were all so placed that they 

 were within easy reach when wanted. The capstan 

 and windlass were free, and Dodge, who had not 

 forgotten his naval experience, reported " the decks 

 cleared for action." Would the tide float away the ice 

 and let us out ? 



I was growing very restless. The season was mov- 

 ing on ; already ice began to form ; the temperature 

 was below freezing. The nights made a decided scum 

 on the fresh-water pools. I could count upon only 

 fifteen days of open season. The Fox was frozen up 

 in the "pack " on the 26th of August, 1857, only four 

 days later, notwithstanding her advantage of steam- 

 power. 



I did every thing I could to while away the tedium 

 of this detention. I tried the photographic appara- 

 tus, and with less satisfactory results than before. I 

 tried dredging, without much to show for it ; botaniz- 

 ing, and found nothing which I had not already in 

 my Proven and Upernavik collections. The flowers 

 warned me of the approach of winter. The petals 

 had begun to fall, and their drooping heads wore a 

 melancholy look. They seemed to be pleading with 

 the chilly air for a little longer lease of life. 



One thing only was satisfactorily done. An im- 

 mense iceberg lay off the harbor, and I had the meas- 

 urement of it in my note-book, and a sketch of it in 

 my portfolio. The square wall which faced toward my 



