382 THE VOYAGE OF THE JEANNETTE. 



greater is remarkable, for, in the past twenty-four hours 

 we have had N. W. winds, with velocities ranging from 

 sixteen to twenty-four miles an hour. However, our 

 field may have brought up, and though we are deepen- 

 ing our water again to twenty-three and a half fathoms, 

 it may be that we are being edged oft", as the ice grhids 

 on the shoal. Otherwise the day is without interest. 

 Puffy, squally weather and occasional snow flurries go 

 to make up a June day in these latitudes. 



June 20th, Sunday. — Another w^eek has come and 

 gone and we are in the same place. Instead of repin- 

 ing at not advancing, I suppose I ought to be grateful 

 that I have a ship to hold us together, but weak human 

 nature crops out occasionally. 



At ten I inspected the ship, finding everything in 

 good condition, and shining with the coat of paint that 

 has been applied. Then divine service was performed 

 in the cabin. Newcomb, while out to-day, found a 

 dozen mosquitoes. Carefully did he bring them to the 

 ship as trophies. They were, when found on the snow, 

 dull and sluggish, as if blown a long distance by the 

 wind. 



June 21st, 3Ionday. — The advent and departure of 

 another day to record ; and except that it is the longest 

 day in the year to some people (though not of course 

 to us, since we have the sun the whole twenty-four 

 hours), it is hardly worth recording. Observations show 

 us that we have drifted, since the 19th, eleven and 

 three tenths miles to S. 68° E. Discouraging, very. 

 And yet my motto is, " Hope on, hope ever." A very 

 good one it is when one's surroundings are more natural 

 than ours ; but situated as we are it is better in the ab- 

 stract than in realization. There can be no greater wear 

 and tear on a man's mind and patience than this life in 



