394 THE VOYAGE OF THE JEANXETTE. 



30° and 31°, thus indicating the comparative freshness 

 of their waters. In the daytime our dogs drink freely 

 from these ponds, and our men use them as convenient 

 washing-phices for clothes. To-day an amusing sight 

 was presented by a wash-tub, wash-board and all, on the 

 ice, and the nautical performer as earnestly engaged in 

 his laundry as if no such thing as ice or a ship was 

 within a thousand miles. 



To-day we ate the last of our bear meat, that good 

 and solid addition to our food during the many months 

 we have been in the ice. Having upward of forty 

 seals, we shall now occasionally fall back on them for a 

 change in our bill of fare. Yesterday we had ducks 

 for dinner in the cabin, the result of Mr. Dunbar's hunt 

 the other day ; to-day we had bear fore and aft, and 

 to-morrow all hands will try seal. Our position to-day 

 is in latitude 73° 24' 13" N., and longitude 178° 34' 

 E., having drifted since yesterday the stupendous dis- 

 tance of one and four tenths miles N. 27° W. Any- 

 thing, however, so long as it is not south. Weather bright 

 and pleasant ; brilliant sunshine for the whole twenty- 

 four hours makes me deplore our inability to devote it 

 to accomplishing some good and useful purpose. 



July 4th, Sunday. — In reality this is Monda}^, July 

 5th, because we have crossed the 180th meridian, and 

 should have changed our date ; but as I hope to get east 

 again this summer, I have seen fit to keep the old reck- 

 oning. A year ago to-day we were in San Francisco, 

 and received a visit from Lord Lof tus, while on his w^ay 

 to Sydney, as Governor of New South Wales. At din- 

 ner to-day we recalled that event. Ah, well ! who can 

 tell what a year will bring forth. We certainly have 

 not realized our anticipations by long odds ; and I see 

 in the faces round about me no hope of so doing. 



