CHAP. V.] ADVANCE OF SEASON. 3^7 



the night reduced the temperature below zero, 

 and in the day seldom suffered it to rise much 

 above, had proved an annoying drawback to 

 the exertions of the first Lieutenant; unfor- 

 tunately, however, we were not pressed for 

 time, for at present there was nothing around 

 but one wide range of closely packed ice. 

 Still the end of the month had arrived ; the sun 

 beamed brightly and travelled far in its diurnal 

 circuit ; the heralds of spring had flown beyond 

 us towards the north, and the gladness of ad- 

 vancing summer was felt by all of us. At 6 h p. m. 

 a part of Mill Islands was seen, bearing N.E. by 

 E.^ E., and some other land near it, most likely 

 one of the group. The breeze freshened from 

 N.N.W. in the night, and on May 1st the weather 

 was keener than it had been for some time. A 

 momentary glimpse was caught of the land on 

 the starboard beam, but the haze prevented our 

 distinguishing what part it was. The boats, which 

 it may be remembered had been hoisted high up 

 the rigging to keep them above the frowning 

 masses which then threatened to overwhelm us, 

 were now removed to the davits, in the hope that 

 danger of that kind was past. The horizon 

 was still obscured at noon ; but from sights with 

 the artificial horizon, the latitude was found to be 

 63° 49' N., and longitude 78° 54/ SO* W.; thus 

 giving the anomalous result of our having been 



Y 4 



