386 THE VOYAGE OF THE JEANNETTE. 



only as long as we are held fast. When we move, I 

 suppose Ave must utilize some empty space in the coal 

 bunkers as a stow place for the carcasses. For some 

 reason we see no walruses. The amount of bright 

 sunlight we have had since the temperature has been 

 pleasant has not been sufficient, perhaps, to induce the 

 walruses to come out and bask in it. This month has 

 been an eminently unpleasant one, for though the tem- 

 perature has been comparatively high, say 32°, so much 

 moisture has been contained in the air as to make us 

 always chilly. The thawing on the surface of the floe 

 has kept everything sloppy, some places being an inch 

 deep and more in water. Under such circumstances 

 moccasins are of no use ; rubber boots for steady wear 

 are crippling to the feet, and we are compelled to fall 

 back upon leather boots, which, though kept impervious 

 to water by constant greasing, make our feet cold and 

 uncomfortable. My plan is to wear my boots only 

 when in the main cabin or on the ice ; as soon as I 

 come into my own room I put on a pair of bird-skin 

 slippers which Mr. Dunbar made for me, and which are 

 as warm as can be desired. 



Owing to the accumulation of ashes and rubbish 

 around the ship, the ice in that locality is rapidly wast- 

 ing, and in consequence more and more of the ship's 

 hull is being uncovered. Besides this there is a wast- 

 ing going on in the ice-cradle which holds her, and this 

 relief of so much weight allows her to rise more nearly 

 to her proper flotation. This we see indicated by the 

 daily difference of the water-level, and it averages 

 nearly an inch a day. In an idle moment I appointed 

 the 4th of July, the anniversary of the Jeannette's 

 christening, as the time when she would again be afloat 

 and under way, and I shall be the happiest man north 



