A FROZEN SUMMER. 417 



hours 1,295 strokes of the bilge-pump were required to 

 keep her free, and since July 15th, 240 strokes per day 

 have been sufficient. Of course there is a reason for 

 this, but unfortunately we have to guess at it. Meas- 

 urements of the thickness of the ice at accessible places 

 show a diminution of one inch since July 13th ; and it 

 may so happen that the wasting away of that amount 

 of ice (whether at the top, and so causing it to float 

 higher, or at the bottom, and accomplishing the same 

 effect) has uncovered the damaged stem and presented 

 a freer access to the water. This is conjecture simply ; 

 the fact is the water, and must be dealt with. We 

 have the windmill for the present, and should we be 

 held here another winter, we have, thank God, enough 

 coal to run a pump in the deck-house. 



August 12th, Thursday. — Observations to-day show 

 a drift since the 9th of five and a half miles to S. 38° 

 E. The irony of fate! How long, Lord, how long? 



August ISth, Friday. — Rainbow at ten p. m. Sun- 

 set at 10.20. This is the first time we have been able 

 to see the sun at this interesting event since he recom- 

 menced his for-a-time-susperided habit of going below 

 our horizon. Some little fog in the forenoon. These 

 fogs please me, for they cut away the ice amazingly. 



August 14:th, Saturday. — Our mild weather con- 

 tinues, and as the winds hold from the northward and 

 eastward, it must be occasioned by open water in that 

 direction. This is no better than a conjecture, of course ; 

 for remaining fast in one spot we can only guess what 

 may be the state of affairs fifty miles from us in any 

 direction. Inasmuch as the high temperature and N. 

 E. wind are accompanied by rain, fog, and mist, the 

 conjecture of open water is a reasonable one. 



August loth, Sunday. — Our mild weather continues, 



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