Oct. 1857. FIXED IN THE ICE. 43 



CHAPTER IV. 



Snow crystals — Dogs will not eat raven — An arctic school — The 

 dogs invade us — Bear-hunting by night — Ice-artillery — Arctic 

 palates — Sudden rise of temperature — Freezing of salt-water — 

 Harvey's idea of a sortie. 



3rd Oct. — Position, 74 58' N., 65 52' W. September has 

 passed away and left us as a legacy to the pack; what a 

 month have we had of anxious hopes and fears ! 



Up to the 17 th S.E. winds prevailed, forcing the ice into 

 a compact body, and urging it north-westward ; subsequently 

 N.W. winds set in, drifting it southward, and separating the 

 floe-pieces ; but the change of wind being accompanied by 

 a considerable fall of temperature, they were either quickly 

 cemented together again, or young ice formed over the 

 newly-opened lanes of water, almost as rapidly as the 

 surface of the sea became exposed. During the month the 

 thermometer ranged between + 3 6° and — 2 . Two more 

 bears and a raven have been seen. A wearied ptarmigan 

 alighted near the ship, but before it could take wing again 

 the dogs caught it, and scarcely a feather remained by the 

 time I could rush on deck. 



Our beautiful little organ was taken out of its case to-day, 

 and put up on the lower deck ; the men enjoy its pleasing 

 tones, whilst Christian unceasingly turns the handle in a 

 state of intense delight; he regards it with such awe and 

 admiration, and is so entranced, that one cannot help 

 envying him; of course he never saw one before. The 

 instrument was presented by the Prince Consort to the 

 searching vessel bearing his name which was sent out by 



