CASTOR AND POLLUX. 153 



indulgence was so to inflame the mucous membrane 

 as, in the end, to render the thirst greater and greater 

 the more the desire was indulged. Finally respiration 

 became difficult and painful, and he arrived on board 

 much exhausted. It is a good lesson for the ship's 

 company, — a fact doubtless more consoling to me 

 than to the suflferer. 



October 29th. 



I went out to-day with Mr. Sonntag to his base line, 

 and made some further measurements. In that direc- 

 tion there are a couple of mammoth icebergs, Avhich 

 I have named " The Twins." They loom up grandly 

 agaiust the dark western sky. Castor carries his head 

 230 feet above the sea, and Pollux, though of smaller 

 dimensions, is seventeen feet higher. 



After our usual evening game of chess, we have 

 talked over some further projects for the field. I 

 propose a drive into the region of Humboldt Glacier, 

 Sonntag one to Van Rensselaer Harbor. It is impor- 

 tant that the meridian of this latter place should be 

 connected with that of Port Foulke. I yield to Sonn- 

 tag for the present, and he starts the day after to- 

 morrow, w^eather permitting, — a proviso peculiarly 

 necessary in this blustering place. There is very little 

 Hght left to us, but the moon is full, and will probably 

 serve to guide the party. There was not even the 

 faintest streak of light to-day at three o'clock. 



October 30th. 



Sonntag is all ready to start. He will take two 

 sledges, with Jensen and Hans for drivers. They are 

 prepared for seven days' absence. I have allowed 

 Sonntag to provide his own equipment, without inter- 

 ference. He has, I think, made it a little more cum- 



