302 THE VOYAGE OF THE JEANNETTE. 



necessary heating may have been, during the past week 

 we have been obhgecl to keep the Baxter going, to run 

 the forward bilge-pump. 



If we only could get down to the leak and tinker at 

 it we might do something. If we could have open 

 water enough we might build a coffer dam and get it 

 under the bow ; or if we could get the ship into a har- 

 bor and beach her, we would be all rio-ht : but these 

 tilings seem impossible in our present position. The 

 amount of care and anxiety on my mind, trying to plan 

 all things for the best, will last me for my lifetime. 



A result of the high temperature to-day was the cov- 

 ering of all the bolt-heads on the outside of the ship 

 with frost. The heat of the sun has long since melted 

 all the snow on our black sides, and the round masses 

 of frost stood out like white bull's-eyes. The metal 

 bolts have been so cold that the coming in contact with 

 a warmer air has condensed and deposited the frost. At 

 one p. M. performed divine service in the cabin. Alexey 

 and Aneguin were out to-day in quest of game, and 

 going about two miles to the S. E. of the ship came to 

 open water, in which they shot a seal. While Aneguin 

 came back for a kyack, Alexey shot three more, but 

 unfortunately he onl}^ got one out of the lot. It came 

 in time, for we had eaten the last half of our last seal, 

 and wanted one in readiness for next Sunday's dinner. 



3Iarch 2dth, Monday. — Commenced to-day to break 

 out the forward store-room to clean out the frost and 

 get ready for our permanent stowage. This is going to 

 be a serious affair, for the fore hold and fore peak must 

 be kept empty in case of a sudden increase in the leak, 

 and yet we cannot keep our spar deck filled with pro- 

 visions as it is now. Our efforts will be directed also 

 to getting as much weight aft as possible to bring her 



