THE MARCH OVER THE FROZEN OCEAN. 645 



the 13th, and, perhaps, the same seen on the 11th. I 

 certainly think it is the open ocean. As from our ele- 

 vation our horizon could not exceed six miles, I feel sat- 

 isfied that the edge of the ice must be within that dis- 

 tance, and as the point of the land came down in the 

 middle of the water it is equally evident that we shall 

 come to the water before reaching the land. As the 

 land now bears S. 60° W. magnetic (about W. by S. 

 true) we have been drifting a long distance to the 

 southeast, or else we are very close to it, for a change of 

 bearing of five points has occurred in fifty-two hours. 

 We have not had wind enough during that time to 

 make any very extensive drift, and our course has been 

 steadily southwest. All things taken into considera- 

 tion, therefore, I assume that we are near land and 

 water, and I decide upon resuming our march after 

 dinner, to head W. by S. directly for both. During 

 dinner (1.40 to 2.20) we saw the moon for the first 

 time, I think, in two months, and what was more satis- 

 factory we saw a seal in a lead near us, and Mr. Collins 

 shot him, while the dingy this time got him before he 

 sunk. Upon resuming the march at 2.20, therefore, 

 we headed W. by S. (true), and I directed Mr. Dunbar 

 to take Aneguin with him and go ahead a prudent dis- 

 tance to see whether we were really approaching the 

 open sea, without paying attention to the movements 

 of the sleds. I was certain that Mr. Dunbar and 

 Aneguin could go three miles while we were advancing 

 half a mile, and from this three miles a better view 

 could be obtained, and a more correct opinion formed 

 as to its remoteness. If the water were only six miles 

 off, going three miles toward it would permit a very ac- 

 curate estimate of the remaining distance. Mr. Dunbar 

 carried a rifle and ammunition and some pemmican. 



