126 THE VOYAGE OF THE JEANNETTE. 



the 9th inst., we have changed fifteen miles to N. 40** 

 W., or at the rate of two and a half miles a day. Even 

 at this rate, if we conthiue, we may reach Kellett Land 

 or its continuation before spring. This is of course but 

 a faint consolation, but it seems our only one, for from 

 the mast-head we can see nothing but a field of ice. If 

 there is a continuous current in this part of the world, 

 we shall probably test it by our drift this winter, and 

 perhaps drift toward some new land, as did Weyprecht 

 and Payer, in the Tegetthof. As to making any prog- 

 ress with the ship by our own efforts, 1 see no chance ; 

 and it looks as if it would take an earthquake at least 

 to get us out of our besetment. However, " the dark- 

 est hour is just before the dawn," and our dawn may 

 be soon coming. 



To prevent the water from freezing in the boilers 

 and bursting the tubes and pipes, we to-day emptied 

 them, broke joints, and drained all pipes. If I were 

 certain of staying here all winter, there is much more 

 I should like to do. Our decks are so fearfully lum- 

 bered up as to be a sure preventive to our keeping in 

 order. To put up our deck-house, the steam-cutter and 

 spare rudder should be removed. But where shall they 

 be put ? If we place them on the ice we may lose them 

 in a break-up, if a break-up comes, and we certainly 

 have no place for them on board ship. I suppose, how- 

 ever, they and many other things must take their 

 chances on the floe this winter. 



Both of our wounded dogs are improving, and, hav- 

 ing discharged themselves from the bridge hospital, 

 have gone to their brethren on the ice. Our bridge 

 has answered several purposes thus far for which it was 

 not constructed ; for Alexey and Aneguin, being over- 

 come by the heat of the berth-deck stove, have rigged 



