AN ARCTIC RESCUE 



The greatest care was taken of the provisions. A supply 

 for sixty days, consisting of pemmican, beef, pork, tea, 

 sugar, hard biscuit, salt and pepper, as well as alcohol, 

 stoves, pots, pans, and two boxes of ammunition for the 

 fowling pieces and rifles, all carefully marked, were 

 stowed on deck beside the boats for which they were in- 

 tended. All this was regularly inspected every day to be 

 sure, that, if needed, nothing should be found to be spoiled. 

 In this connection, it should be said that it was recognized 

 from the beginning that, if Lieutenant Greely and his party 

 were ever found, they would probably be in a destitute con- 

 dition. Therefore, rations were carefully preserved ex- 

 clusively for them. 



The " crow's nest," just as soon as we entered the regions 

 of ice, proved to be of inestimable assistance, and it was put 

 into frequent use. The crow's nest is a heavy barrel, with 

 the bottom fitted with a heavy hinge. This is attached to 

 the foremast or mainmast by stout iron bands, fitted tightly 

 about the mast, and is big enough to hold a man standing 

 upright. There is a seat in it, but, when in the ice pack, 

 there is little or no chance to sit down. Encircling the top 

 is an iron rod, which makes a rest for the telescope. At an 

 elevation of 120 or 130 feet, it gives a very broad lookout, 

 say a range of twelve or fifteen miles in clear weather. An 

 immense deal can be seen from here which could not be 

 seen from the deck, and the captain, to direct intelligently 

 the movements of his ship, is forced to remain here the 

 greater part of his time. An elaborate system of signals 

 connecting both with engine room and with helmsman is 

 arranged, which makes it as easy to direct the ship from 

 the crow's nest as from the bridge. 



Wind and tide are naturally the two things which are 

 watched most closely. For, upon an accurate knowledge 

 of these, depends the ability to seize opportunities to 

 advance. 



There are certain indications which are of the utmost im- 

 portance, namely, " water blinks " and * ice blinks." The 

 water blink is dark clouds or spots on the horizon. These 

 are caused by the mists which gather over open spaces of 

 water, and always mean that an advance can be made. 

 They are, therefore, eagerly looked for. On the contrary, 



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