38 THE SIEGE OF THE NORTH POLE 



evening cat-nap. I state this by way of implying that I 

 never sleep </ daytimes. 



" After supper, we have a better state of things than 

 two weeks ago. Then the few tired-out workers were 

 regaled by the groans and tossings of the sick. There 

 was little conversation, and the physiognomy of our 

 smoke-blackened little den was truly dismal. Now day- 

 light pours in from the scuttle, the tea-kettle sings upon 

 the stove, the convalescents rise up on their elbows and 

 spin merry yarns. We are not yet sufficiently jolly for 

 cards; but we are sufficiently thankful to do without 

 them. At nine, silence almost unbroken prevails through- 

 out our dormitory, and the watch-officer slips on his 

 bear-skin, and, full of thoughts of to-morrow, resigns 

 himself to a round of little routine observances, the most 

 worthless of which is this unbroken record of the changing 

 days." 



Kane now became convinced that the brio; had little 

 chance of being released from the ice, and he began 

 preparations for a retreat by boat to the Danish settle- 

 ment of Upernavik. 



" Canvas moccasins had been made for everv one of 

 the party, and three dozen were added as a common 

 stock to meet emergencies. Three pairs of boots were 

 allowed each man. These were generally of carpeting, 

 with soles of walrus and seal hide ; and when the supply 

 of these gave out, the leather from the chafing-gear of 

 the brig for a time supplied their place. A much better 

 substitute was found afterward in the gutta-percha that 

 had formed the speaking-tube. This was softened by 

 warm water, cut into lengths, and so made available to 

 its new uses. Blankets were served out as the material 

 for body-clothing : every man was his own tailor. 

 For bedding, the woollen curtains that had formerly 

 decorated our berths supplied us with a couple of large 



