IN THE BOATS. 721 



at one time quite rapid, slacked np by seven p. m., and 

 the wind veered to N. Numerous lanes of water showed, 

 but none which we could use. Temperature 25°. The 

 wood being all burned, we to-night had to commence 

 again on alcohol to cook with. 



Being miserable all day without something to smoke, 

 I had tea-leaves to-night, and, to my pleasant surprise, 

 got considerable comfort. Soundings in forty-four feet, 

 mud and sand. Drifting south. At eight p. m. the 

 wind had veered to N. N. E. 



August 29th, Monday. — I have concluded that there 

 is very little use in calling all hands at five A. m. day 

 after day, when we have no chance to move along — 

 and God knows the hours of waiting pass drearily 

 enough without unnecessarily lengthening the days. 

 Accordingly, all hands this morning slept on until 6.30, 

 and when up we found that the ice seemed more tightly 

 closed than ever. A mist and fog prevented us from 

 seeing the land, or anything more than a mile, but 

 within that radius no water could be seen. Tempera- 

 ture 20.5°, and light N. E. air. Soundings in forty-four 

 feet ; slight drift to leeward. 



At twelve Mr. Chipp came to my tent and informed 

 me of a lead making south along the west side of our 

 floe. At once finished dinner, broke camp, and carried 

 our provisions across the floe and dragged our boats. 

 At one p. m. got under way, and proceeded south till 

 1.30, when we w r ere brought up. At three resumed 

 our journey, making between east and southeast until 

 six, when we made south to south southeast until 8.30, 

 then, seeing nothing promising, I hauled alongside a 

 floe, unloaded, and hauled out. At 1.30 we had sound- 

 ings in six fathoms, at four in four fathoms, and at 8.30 

 five fathoms. The ice was in one great swirl and flurry, 



