THE RETURN TO COLD AND DARKNESS. 479 



lengthwise, or, roughly, northeast and southwest. These 

 cracks opened on Sunday to a width in some places of 

 eight feet, and to-day they are again closed, a ridge of 

 broken blocks four feet in height marking where the 

 union was made.) 



At 11.30 A. m. the ship received a considerable jar, 

 causing the lamp-chimneys and shades to rattle and 

 ring;. Most of us were on the ice at the time, and there 

 it was unnoticed by all seemingly excepting myself. I 

 detected an earthquaky movement or two which seemed 

 like a lift and a shove. This, however, is merely a be- 

 ginning. Next month, if it is anything like last year, 

 will be full of events. 



October 2Sth, Thursday. — Not a sound from the 

 ice to-day, and evidently a period of rest or prepara- 

 tion. Soundings in thirty-one and one half fathoms, 

 and an indicated drift to south. 



October oOth, Saturday. — Cracking and noises of 

 grinding commenced just after midnight, the former 

 seeming to be under the stern, and the latter coming 

 from some distance on either quarter. The snaps and 

 grinding lasted until nearly three a. m., and again set 

 in for a short time about three p. M. No evidence of 

 any disturbances could be seen around the ship, though 

 a crack or narrow lane was found about a mile ahead 

 where it has opened and closed before. 



At midnight an arch 10° in altitude south, made of 

 curtains of pale green light, with masses of bright 

 green light pulsating across it, made a brilliant auro- 

 ral display. 



October olst, Sunday. — Another week has come and 

 gone, and with it ends the month. Uneventful, and, so 

 far as any results obtained are concerned, a clear waste 

 of life. It is hard to feel satisfied even with our being 



