236 THE VOYAGE OF THE JEANNETTE. 



bilge-pump belonging to the main engine by the steam- 

 cutter's engine and boiler, so that if he can pump out 

 the bulk of the water forward by the Baxter rig, he 

 can take care of what comes aft with the steam-cutter's 

 rig. We are, of course, husbanding our fuel to the 

 utmost, and since stopping the auxiliary pump have 

 greatly reduced our expenditure. Sounded at noon in 

 twenty-nine and one half fathoms, muddy bottom. A 

 shght drift indicated to N. W. Early daylight at 6.30. 

 Upon cutting through the ice for soundings ten inches 

 growth in one day had to be cut away. At five p. m. 

 a slight ice movement occurred one hundred and fifty 

 yards to southward of the ship, causing her to experi- 

 ence a moderate nip. At 5.40 a meteor, in falling from 

 S. towards S. W., showed a blue colored light. At 

 seven, faint auroral gleams in N. At eleven and mid- 

 night, a lunar halo 6° in diameter, showing prismatic 

 colors ; and at the last named hour a faint auroral arch 

 from E. to W. 60° in altitude to northward. Tempera- 

 ture fluctuatino; ; besrinningr at minus 36° it o-oes down 

 to minus 42°, and ends the day at minus 39°. 



We are certainly having enough cold weather this 

 month, but since the sun came back we do not mind it 

 much. The pleasure of being out in the sunlight will 

 make us forget the cold. But generally we have had 

 light airs about noon since old Sol's return, and by 

 looking out for our noses we can go about with im- 

 punity. 



January 31s^, Saturday. — The day "opens and con- 

 tinues pleasant and clear, except a haze which hangs 

 around the horizon. At one A. m. a lunar halo was ob- 

 served, 6° in diameter, and showing prismatic colors. (I 

 have remarked that these lunar halos are with us al- 

 most positive evidence of ice openings in our neighbor- 



