608 THE VOYAGE OF THE JEANNETTE. 



my midnight observation was out only by the greater 

 refraction of such a low altitude. I therefore accept 

 the situation, and shall modify my plans to this extent. 

 Instead of making a south course I shall incline more 

 to southwest, for as the line of our drift is northwest, 

 a southwest course will cross it more rapidly than a 

 south one, and bring us quicker to the ice edge. 



I turned in at one p. M., a fog creeping up with the 

 west wind. I had piped down the men at 9.30 a. m., 

 with orders to call all hands at seven p. m. This w r as 

 done, but from a desire not to disturb me, no move 

 was made toward getting alcohol until eight p. m., when 

 I became aware that something was amiss and roused 

 up to set it straight. In consequence w r e did not get 

 breakfast until 8.45 p. m. 



I find this morning my hands were so badly sun- 

 burned before our halt as to be now swollen and pain- 

 ful. A little cerate, however, soon made them easier. 



Such a rough country as we have before us requires 

 more careful examination than a short run ahead can 

 give ; and I have therefore sent Mr. Dunbar to seek a 

 road out of our difficulty, while I let the camp remain 

 "on their oars." After our hard day's work of yester- 

 day, this additional rest is w r elcome, and if a good road 

 is found we can make a long step this afternoon. At 

 the -same time there is no loss, for Ericksen and Leach 

 have two or three loads yet in the rear to bring up. 



