550 THE VOYAGE OF THE JE ANNETTE. 



May 2ith, Tuesday. — The first thing I heard upon 

 arising this morning was that more land was in sight, 

 and the next thing was that the ice was very slack, 

 with many large lanes of water. The strong appear- 

 ance of land on the 20th, towards midnight, proves to 

 have been land in reality, — another island being added 

 to our discoveries, somewhat longer (if not less distant) 

 than our first named. Upon going up to the crow's- 

 nest I had a good view of both islands and of more 

 water than we have seen since September, 1879. In 

 consequence of the subsidence of the wind, the ice has 



■■■■'J«;<^'^M&'^s't:- 



Jeannette Island. From a Sketch by Mr. Melville. 



become very slack, and numerous long openings or 

 lanes have occurred, varying in width from twenty to 

 one hundred feet, and in length from one eighth mile 

 to three miles. Unfortunately for purposes of naviga- 

 tion they are not connected, and though having a gen- 

 eral northwest and southeast direction, do not lead to 

 anything. Just at this moment I would be contented 

 if by any means I could get the ship into one of these 

 islands for a temporary breathing spell, and a chance 

 to get some game for our supplies; but, unfortunately, 

 I cannot saw through thirty miles of ice or blast that 

 amount out of my way. The lanes of water are very 

 tantalizing, for they indicate what might be done if 



