THE RETURN OF DAYLIGHT. 295 



altitude make it possible to take the daily observations 

 to some purpose, it will be difficult to connect any par- 

 ticular drift with any particular wind. I am quite con- 

 vinced that during the past winter our drifting has 

 been entirely caused by the winds and not by any cur- 

 rent. 



March 21st, Sunday. — Pumping and distilling as 

 usual. At eleven a. m. I inspected the ship. The damp- 

 ness on the berth deck has been somewhat better dur- 

 ing the past week. We have been fortunate in keeping 

 the beds dry even at the worst, and but few of the 

 blankets even have got damp. Thanks to rubber blan- 

 kets, and the system of overhauling and turning up the 

 bedding everj^ morning, the berths have been kept 

 fairly dry and comfortable. Having abolished the fire 

 in the deck-house, except on washing days (Mondays), 

 we save some drip and wet in that place, and also di- 

 minish our coal expenditure daily to fifty pounds. 



The fire in the ward-room has only been lighted 

 once a week heretofore (Saturday nights, to heat water 

 for bathing), but it made things so uncomfortable for 

 Danenliower (our steady sick man) that for the last two 

 Saturdays it has been discontinued and will not be re- 

 sumed. All winter the officers have been sleeping at 

 temperatiwes at and below 32°, and are none the worse 

 for it, seemingly preferring it. The great advantage of 

 it has been the perfect dryness which prevailed there 

 at all times. 



At one p. M. read divine service in the cabin. From 

 eight p. M. to midnight we had a fall of soft snow. The 

 temperature, which began at minus 26^^, rose to minus 

 5.5°, making the air feel quite mild and pleasant. The 

 ice was in motion again to the N. E. at four A. m. 



The men and dotjs went out auain this mornino; and 



