THE MARCH OVER THE FROZEN OCEAN. 623 



though to me it is a very blue one. Three years ago 

 to-day in Havre the Jeannette was christened, and 

 many pleasant things were said, and anticipations 

 formed, all of which have gone down with the ship. I 

 did not think then that three years afterward would 

 see us all out on the ice with nothing accomplished, and 

 a story of a lost ship to carry back to our well-wishers 

 at home. My duty to those who came with me is to 

 see them safely back, and to devote all my mind and 

 strength to that end. My duty to those depending on 

 me for support hereafter impels me to desire that I 

 should return also ; but those two duties apart, I fancy 

 it would have made but little difference if I had gone 

 down with my ship. But as there is nothing done 

 without some good purpose being served, I must en- 

 deavor to look my misfortune in the face, and to learn 

 what its application may be. It will be hard, however, 

 to be known hereafter as a man who undertook a Polar 

 expedition and sunk his ship at the 77th parallel. 

 Piped down at nine a. m. Called all hands at six p. m. 

 Breakfasted at seven p. M. Under way at eight p. m. 

 Three hundred yards from our camp we came to an ice 

 opening one hundred and fifty feet wide, right in our 

 way ; as we are now doubling our fleets, that is, drag- 

 ging two sleds at a time, such an opening was a serious 

 inconvenience. A small, thick floe piece was floating in 

 the middle of the lead, and I hoped to get that pressed 

 into service before any delay could occur. Sending for 

 the dingy I succeeded in getting this lump in tow, and 

 ready for a flying bridge, or ferry, while the other 

 boats were coming up. Second cutter and two sleds 

 were then carried across, the remainder being kept be- 

 hind for a second load, and to avoid an accident involv- 

 ing loss of our provisions. However, everything got 



