634 THE VOYAGE OF THE JEANNETTE. 



an opening should occur during our sleep, and at 6.40 

 a. m. pitched camp. In the lead several seals were 

 seen, but as soon as rifles were obtained they were re- 

 markable by their absence. Got a fair Sumner this 

 morning, from which I determine our position to be 

 latitude 77° 8' 30" N., longitude 151.38° E., a change 

 of position since the 3d of twenty-six and three quar- 

 ters miles S. 30° E. By account we have made about 

 sixteen miles southwest, so this shows how little can 

 be done with any certainty. Keeping on in our course 

 is all that can be accomplished, and, in my opinion, if 

 our longitude be right, a southwest course soonest 

 brings us to the edge of the ice. 



Supper at 7.30. Divine service at 8.45. Piped down 

 at nine. After supper quite a little excitement was 

 created by the cry of land. To the southwest there 

 was something which certainly looked like land, but the 

 fog assumes so many deceiving forms that one cannot 

 be sure of anything. The nearest Siberian island is one 

 hundred and twenty miles from us, and, unless we are 

 going to discover new islands, I cannot believe that we 

 have seen land to-day. I think we made good three and 

 a quarter miles to-day in nine and one half hours' work. 



At piping down, light northwest airs. Barometer 

 30.05 at 40°. Temperature 32°. Called all hands at 

 six p. M. Breakfast at seven p. m. Under way at 8.15 

 p. M. Some little delay was occasioned by my sending 

 around a bag and the following order : — 



July Uth, 1881. 



Officers in charge of tents will please have collected and 

 placed in this bag all loose ammunition. This bag will be car- 

 ried in the first cutter, and will be in my charge. In an emer- 

 gency, while marching, or encountering any game while under 

 way, any officer at hand may serve out ammunition at his dis- 



