30 THE MASQUERADE. 



In high latitudes the clearness of atmosphere 

 in winter generally precedes an increase of cold ; 

 and on the 9th we found the temperature consider- 

 ably decreased, one of the men having his fingers 

 slightly frost-nipped while scrubbing hammocks. 

 A seal was brought on board to-day, which, 

 although small, yielded about foiu* inches thickness 

 of blubber next the skin.' 



Our first masquerade occurred on the 17th 

 November, and was, as a novelty, sufficiently amusing. 

 We had managed to make up a band, which, on extra- 

 ordinary occasions, reached the number of eight ; the 

 instruments for music were fiddles and a flute, while 

 those added to give effect, which they did most noisily, 

 were a gong and small military drum ; and at a later 

 season, a chime of bells made from those supplied to 

 the ship, and a Tuski drum. One of our men 

 who had not always been a sailor, and among 

 other phases of his varied life, had once itinerated 

 with an organ and a tamburine girl, manufactui'ed a 

 tamburine, which he handled in an artistic manner, 

 doing the thumb-roll to perfection ; and also tried his 

 hand at a tin-flute, which made a good Arctic sub- 

 stitute for a piccolo. European and native materials 

 were alike employed for costume, the hybrid appear- 

 ances creating much mirth. Among the most pronii- 



