A FROZEN SUMMER. 403 



southing. At two o'clock the sky became overcast, and 

 from that time to midnight we had rain, mist, and thick 

 fog. Although no material change occurred in the 

 temperature (at midnight it was 32°), the sensation of 

 cold was increased about 100 per cent. The mist, fog, 

 and rain seemed to penetrate to one's marrow in the 

 most aggravating manner, and reminded him forcibly 

 of the warmer times we have been accustomed to at 

 home, where no doubt this afternoon our friends have 

 been suffering from heat and sighing for ice and the 

 shade. 



And thus, with our routine of eating, drinking, and 

 sleeping, hourly weather observations, and the work of 

 the ship, the day comes to an end, and, in the language 

 of Mr. Wilfer, we can exclaim, " Another one of them 

 gone." 



July IGth, Friday. — Our observations to-day show 

 a drift since the 14th of nine miles to S. 43° E. Rather 

 discouraging as to direction, but hopeful as showing a 

 loose condition of the ice, w^hich admits of our readily 

 moving in compliance with the wind. The open water 

 {i. e. a crack in the ice), one and a half miles S. E. of 

 the ship, has widened somewhat, and beyond it the ice 

 seems broken up in large blocks, though from their 

 uneven surfaces we cannot tell for how great a distance 

 this broken condition extends. 



While Mr. Dunbar and Alexey were out to-day, the 

 latter shot a seal, and apparently killed it, as it lay 

 stretched out on the ice. It was, however, only stunned, 

 for, as Alexey approached it, it made for the water. 

 Quickening his steps he reached it in time to grab it 

 by the hind flipper, in an effort to hold it. But Mr. 

 Seal was too sharp for Alexey, and managed to wriggle 

 out of his grasp. 



