560 THE VOYAGE OF THE JE ANNETTE. 



begin at once or at the end of two years ? A very im- 

 portant question to an Arctic expedition, for of what 

 use is it to secure exemption from scurvy for two years 

 if disabling lead poison finishes you in the third year ? 

 The doctor says each severe attack may be mitigated 

 by medicine, but a continued absorption of the lead 

 will produce palsy, and that would certainly be a per- 

 plexing disease to deal with in an Arctic ship. If the 

 chemical action begins as soon as the tomato is canned 

 one is in danger at all times. However, as we stood 

 the vegetable four times a week, I order a return to 

 that issue to see what effect will be produced. 



"We are certainly drawing in upon Henrietta Island, 

 and getting Jeannette Island well opened on the port 

 bow. Bearings to-clay : ship's head S. 10° W. (true) ; 

 east end Jeannette Island, S. 10° 30' E. ; south end 

 Henrietta Island, S. 51° W. ; north end, S. 57° W. ; 

 latitude 77° 16' 14" ; but I could get no time sight. 



During the forenoon our traveling party were sighted 

 from aloft, apparently more than half way to the isl- 

 and. 



Dull and gloomy weather ; temperature, maximum 

 15°, minimum 8°, — lovely for a June day. (Strawber- 

 ries will be late this year in these latitudes.) The ice 

 seems to have slacked up again, a wide opening occur- 

 ring about twenty yards west of the ship, and extend- 

 ing for a mile north northwest and south southeast. 



June 2d, Thursday. — Henrietta Island has been in 

 sight all day and very plainly too, and I am very much 

 deceived if it is more than eight miles distant. 



Our lead invalids are responding to treatment, the 

 steward more slowly than the rest, as his attack was 

 the most severe. I have had occasion heretofore to 

 note how naturally one of our two Chinese does the 



