446 THE VOYAGE OF THE JEANNETTE. 



3d of twelve and one quarter miles to S. 28° W. I 

 suppose we may now say goocl-by to the Pole or the 

 Northwest Passage. With us it is now another winter in 

 the pack or a failure. If we get the ship in open water 

 again, it is a question of our ability to keep her afloat. 



Our pumping to-day is done by hand at the quarter 

 deck bilge-pumps, both of which are kept going to pre- 

 vent their freezing. Our deck-house progresses towards 

 completion in its new position, and already affords a 

 shelter to our men while engaged in thrumming a sail 

 ready to put under our bows, if we ever get afloat 

 again. 



At ten p. m. the effect of the changed wind was heard 

 in the motion of the young ice to southwest, which split 

 and cracked with the old familiar noise as the heavy 

 ice got under way. Mr. Collins, on coming in from the 

 lead to the northeast, reported the ice in motion about 

 eight hundred yards from the ship. Our trouble may 

 commence earlier this year than last, therefore. 



September 7th, Tuesday. — Another day of refresh- 

 ingly low temperature, maximum 27°, minimum 16° ; 

 it is enough to make one heart-sick. This is worse 

 than Weyprecht and Payer, for before a second winter 

 stared them in the face they had a newly-discovered 

 land in sight,' had landed on it, and looked forward to 

 its exploration in the ensuing spring. We have seen 

 nothing, done nothing, and, so far as human judgment 

 can foretell or the human vision foresee, we shall see 

 nothing, do nothing but battle another winter with 

 the pack. If the coming winter's temperature may 

 be judged by that of the early fall, we are in for some 

 hard experience. However, never say die ! Who can 

 tell what Providence has in store for us ? Dark as our 

 future seems to be, the light may be getting ready to 

 shine through. 



