336 THE VOYAGE OF THE JE ANNETTE. 



are of course not light or delicate enough to indicate 

 secular variations ; and as no such movement of the 

 ship in azimuth takes place, I can only account for it 

 by the action of the temperature on the mixture of 

 gWcerine and alcohol on which the cards float. 



In anticipation of the coming of warm weather and 

 the consequent hunting to ensue, a general cleaning and 

 overhauling of rifles and shot-guns took place on Satur- 

 day, some miscellaneous target firing taking place with 

 good results, as showing skill. Everybody felt satisfied 

 that with such marksmanship and the trifling assist- 

 ance of a bear-trap some game must soon be hanging 

 in the rigging. To-day the trap was visited, but to 

 the disgust of everybody was untenanted. Two bears 

 had visited it, and one had even trodden on it without 

 being caught. In setting it the trap had been buried 

 in the snow, which hardened so much around it as to 

 make it impossil^le to close. Hence our disappoint- 

 ment. However we have not finished eatins; our last 

 capture, and to-day at dinner could well appreciate 

 that a bear on the table was worth two not in the trap. 

 At ten A. M. we had general muster, and read the Arti- 

 cles of War, after which I inspected the ship, finding 

 everything trim and neat. Our colors were set for the 

 first time in this part of the world I am certain. At 

 the conclusion of the inspection divine service was per- 

 formed. 



May M, Monday. — Our first case of eyes damaged 

 by snow occurred to-day in Mr. Dunbar. The man of 

 most experience, and generally the greatest care in 

 such matters, is the first to go under. His is not a seri- 

 ous case, however, and he will be around in a day or 

 two. His eagerness to try my Winchester led him to 

 wander around looking for bears more than was pru- 

 dent. 



