A FROZEN SUMMER. 409 



The monotony of doing nothing but waiting, waiting, is 

 very trying. If we only had land in sight anywhere, I 

 think we would risk a journey to it. Divine service 

 followed inspection, as is usual on Sundays. Seal at 

 dinner, with macaroni, tomatoes, etc., etc., as per bill 

 of fare, and a ghiss of sherry with our corn starch pud- 

 ding. As far as food goes we are in luxury. 



Got to-day our first oogook {PJioca hai'hata — 

 bearded seed), shot by Aneguin. She was eight feet 

 long, and while her flesh is valuable for dog food her 

 skin will make boot soles. 



July 2Qth, Monday. — An unfortunate accident oc- 

 curred to-day. Alexey had been out shooting, and 

 brought back for examination a Eemington cartridge, 

 which had failed to explode in his rifle. Sitting down 

 quietly, without any one noticing what he was about, he 

 placed the cartridge between the thumb and finger of 

 his left hand while he picked away at the fulminate cap 

 with his knife in his right hand. Suddenly the cartridge 

 exploded, and without detaching the bullet the shell 

 flew out into ragged edges, which cut Alexey's left hand 

 sadly, besides badly burning it with the powder. He 

 was at once a much demoralized native, the shock af- 

 fecting him considerably. The doctor, of course, at 

 once took hold of the patient, and nothing serious is to 

 be anticipated, beyond deprivation of his services for 

 some days. The chances are that Alexey will be more 

 respectful in his dealings with ammunition. 



Generally speaking, the day was as gloomy as its 

 . predecessors. An almost steady fall of light snow until 

 nine A. m., and this is the height of summer ! 



Some day or other some one, myself perhaps, looking 

 over these pages will complain of their sameness and 

 lack of interest. The popular idea is, no doubt, that 



