POST NUMLA PHCEBUS. 



149 



covered over with the oil-skm. The missing sail-roof 

 of the boat King WilHam had to be replaced by the 

 insufficient protection afforded by the boat- sail. Some 

 hours sped by at this work. The evening meal con- 

 sisted of hard bread and coffee, which the men 

 prepared in the boats by means of the spirit-lamp. At 



THE BOAT RISMARCK. 



length, at half-past twelve, we laid down on our furs to 

 sleep ; and at half-past five the next morning, we got up 

 again. Sailing in a westerly du^ectiou brought us to 

 within four nautical miles from the land. At twelve at 

 noon, however, the ice was so dense that we were oblis-ed 

 to pull up at a floe. On this piece of ice, drifting slowly 



