THROUGH THE "GREAT NIGHT" 87 



blowing from the south and was soon howUng across 

 the ship in a level torrent of white rage. Every stay 

 and shroud was humming like a great aeolian, and the 

 ice about us was cracking and groaning with the 

 strain. So violent was the wind that the window of 

 the Captain's stateroom was blown in. At 8 a. m. it 

 was absolutely calm, the stars shining brilliantly, 

 temperature at -6° F. and the air resonant with the 

 dash of waves against the opposite side of the broad 

 lead of open water. 



The mess rooms were decorated with flags by the 

 Doctor, and there were presents for everyone, princi- 

 pally candies and other creature comforts contributed 

 by friends at home, at the head of whom stood Huyler. 

 Among my own presents were a bottle of special 

 champagne from home, another of ancient Tokay 

 from a thoughtful friend, two or three letters, and a 

 pillow of fragrant fir needles from Eagle Island, in a 

 case worked by the blue- eyed little one who herself 

 had been bom within the precincts of the "Great 

 Night." The Christmas dinner was a special event 

 shared alike by those forward as well as aft and appre^ 

 ciated by everyone. 



Our Christmas festivities had, however, a somewhat 

 startling and entirely unexpected ending. After dinner 

 I paced the ice-foot for a couple of hours, busy with 

 the crowding thoughts which my letters and presents 

 had brought to me. Returning to my room I sat 

 down to listen to the graphophone which the Doctor 

 had started in the neighbouring mess room. A little 

 later the ice began cracking and groaning, and in a 

 moment or two it was evident to me that there was a 



