THE LAST OF THE JEANNETTE. 523 



February 28th, Monday. — We had some little dis- 

 turbance to-day in the jarring of the ship at one, eight, 

 and nine P. M., and the frequent snapping and cracking 

 of the ice. After so much E. and S. E. wind, I suppose 

 some slack place has been made in those directions ; and 

 as we have to-day fresh N. W. winds, a closing up has 

 occurred, which would explain the disturbance. Some 

 snow and fog indicated openings in the ice in our neigh- 

 borhood, and the barometer and temperature readings 

 were in accordance with such changes going on. Sound- 

 ings in thirty-nine fathoms; moderate drift S. This is 

 unpleasant, for I want to hold on to our latitude until I 

 can get some good out of the Siberian rivers, to wit : 

 pushing us and our ice to the northeast to deeper water 

 where this summer we may hope for a release. 



By measurement the ice around us was found to be 

 six feet thick, direct growth since August 31st. 



March 1st, Tuesday. — The medical examination be- 

 ing concluded to-day, the doctor handed in his report. 

 It is, on the whole, satisfactory. Six are in good con- 

 dition, and two (Mr. Danenhower and Mr. Dunbar) fair. 

 All hands forward are in good condition except Alexey, 

 and his condition is fair. The doctor reports that a 

 want of tone prevails ; that is, we are not as vigorous 

 and could not stand exposure and prolonged muscular 

 exertion as we might have clone when we first reached 

 the ice. As far as Alexey is concerned, the views of 

 the doctor and myself are fully set forth on the preced- 

 ing page. To-day we have a moderate northerly gale. 



March 6th, Sunday. — A bear of 374 pounds weight 

 was captured to-clay after a most tremendous fight. At 

 about eight A. M. he came up from astern, and when 

 about five hundred yards distant was sighted by the 

 dogs, about twenty of whom made for him and brought 



