CHAPTER II. 



CONTINUED VOTACIE OF THE TWO SHIPS UNTIL EEACHING ICE. 

 MIDDLE or JULY. 



Second meeting with the Ilansa. — Neptune and the Arctic christen- 

 ing. — Entrance into the Arctic Sea. — Zoological matters. — Jan 

 Mayen. — Neariug the ice. — Seals. — Separation of the vessels. 



The 4tlL of July, Sunday, brought us a fine, clear 

 morning : the wind died quite away ; the sea, even in 

 the far, far distance, was glossy and smooth. The sleep- 

 ing sails swung to and fro with the gaffs; the gearing 

 rattled ; the ship swung -^dthout answering the helm ; in 

 short, it was that sort of calm so disagreeable to a sailor, 

 and particularly so to us after our three weeks' voyage. 

 Every eye looked longingly for a rising breeze. In the 

 course of the morning it rippled the surface with 

 beautiful blue lines here and there, and then dropped 

 again. 



The Hansa was far astern, and presently a dark 

 spot appeared on the water in the distance. It scarcely 

 moved; but the telescope showed us that it must be a 

 boat. Perhaps a post from the Hansa! Now the 

 mainsail was set, and then we knew for certain that 

 it was Captain Hegemann's fine whale-boat that w^as 

 approaching. We lay to, and welcomed heartily on 



^ By Dr. Pansch and Capt. Koldewey. 



