652 THE VOYAGE OF THE JE ANNETTE. 



stretch of hard ice, over which we could make good 

 time, so that, by 6.45 A. m., I am satisfied we had 

 made one and a half miles good. We then halted and 

 camped. 



During our march, from the top of a hummock we 

 saw the water to the right and left of the island, and 

 on the right, through spaces between hummocks, we 

 could see it continue for a short distance. Believing 

 we were close to it Mr. Dunbar went ahead one and 

 a half of his miles, and kept raising the water very 

 fast. From his turning point, he says, he thinks the 

 water about twice as far as he went, making its dis- 

 tance four and a half miles. After he returned we 

 advanced half a mile more, so that, upon camping, 

 we ought not to be more than four miles off. The 

 land seemed as distant as ever. He says the ice is very 

 much better, much of it being smooth and of last win- 

 ter's growth, and thinks in two days we can reach the 

 water. But we shall see. 



To-day I saw some faint " crimson snow " and sev- 

 eral pieces of muddy ice. A very curious seal trick 

 came to light by my breaking through the ice. He 

 had two holes leading from the sea connected by a 

 covered way under the snow ?nd thin crust. T suppose 

 it was to give him a resort in case a bear headed him 

 off. On the ice, by one hole, was a cavity in which 

 the seal had lain and rubbed the shedding hair off his 

 skin. 



Supper at 7.45 A. m. Divine service at 8.30. Piped 

 down at nine. Called all hands at six p. M. ; breakfasted 

 at seven p. M. Under way at eight p. m. About one 

 quarter of a mile from the camp we came to our first 

 opening in the ice, which, simple enough for the lead- 

 ing dog sled, became very difficult for the heavy sleds 



