222 THE SEA. 



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27th. Our Christmas was a very cheerful, merry one. The men were supplied 

 with several additional articles, such as hams, plum-puddings, preserved gooseberries and 

 apples, nuts, sweetmeats, and Burton ale. After Divine Service they decorated the lower 

 deck with flags, and made an immense display of food. The officers came down with me 

 to see their preparations. We were really astonished ! Their mess-tables were laid out 

 like the counters in a confectioner's shop, with apple and gooseberry tarts, plum and 

 sponge cakes in pyramids, besides various other unknown puffs, cakes, and loaves of all 

 sizes and shapes. We bake all our own bread, and excellent it is. In the background 

 were nicely-browned hams, meat-pies, cheeses, and other substantial articles. Rum-and- 

 water in wine-glasses and plum cake were handed to us. We wished them a happy Christmas, 

 and complimented them on their taste and spirit in getting up such a display. Our silken 

 sledge-banners had been borrowed for the occasion, and were regarded with deference and 

 peculiar pride. 



" In the evening the officers were enticed down amongst the men again, and at a late 

 hour I was requested, as a great favour, to come down and see how much they were enjoving 

 themselves. I found them in the highest good-humour with themselves and all the world. 

 They were perfectly sober, and singing songs, each in his turn. I expressed great satis- 

 faction at having seen them enjoying themselves so much and so rationally; I could there- 

 fore the better describe it to Lady Franklin, who was deeply interested in everything 

 relating to them. I drank their healths, and hoped our position next year would be more 

 suitable for our purpose. We all joined in drinking the healths of Lady Franklin and Miss 

 Cracroft, and amid the acclamations which followed I returned to my cabin, immensely 

 gratified by such an exhibition of genuine good-feeling, such veneration for Lady Franklin, 

 and such loyalty to the cause of the expedition. It was very pleasant also that they had 

 taken the most cheering view of our future prospects. I verily believe I was the happiest in- 

 dividual on board that happy evening." New Year's Day was a second edition of Christmas. 

 At midnight on December 31st the arrival of 1858 was announced by the baud, consisting 

 of two flutes and an accordion, striking up at the cabin door. It was accompanied by 

 other music from frying-pans, gridirons, kettles, pots, and pans, in the hands of the crew, 

 who were determined to have as much fun as possible under the circumstances. 



The monotonous winter passed on, and still the Fox remained enclosed in the pack, 

 although occasional disruptions of the ice occurred, some of them of an alarming nature. 

 The field one day cracked within ten yards of the ship, and on another occasion M'Clintock, 

 returning from a visit to an iceberg, was cut off close to the vessel by the sudden opening 

 of a long streak of water, and had to run a considerable distance before he found a crossing 

 place, where the jagged edges of the floe met. The little yacht bore out bravely, although 

 one day hurled up at bows and the next at stern. Strong gales now and again blew 

 furiously, and drifting, whirling snow prevented them from seeing or hearing a few yards 

 off. On March 25th, with a strong north-west wind blowing, the ship rocked in the ice 

 and rubbed against it, straining and groaning in a manner which caused some alarm. 

 The boats, provisions, sledges, knapsacks, and other equipments, were kept ready for a hasty 

 departure. As long as their friendly barrier lasted there was little cause for fear; but who 

 could tell the moment when it might be demolished, and the ship crack like a nutshell 



