VOYAGE OF THE POLARIS (1873) 10 



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temperature went down to 40° below zero. On the 19th, 

 the sun reappeared after an absence of eighty-three days. 



On the 21st February the rations were reduced to 

 7 oz., so that they might last till April. At the 

 beginning of March the temperature was over 30° below 

 zero, and food was scarce. On the 2nd of the month 

 Joe was fortunate in shooting a large seal, an " ookgook, 11 

 and it can be imagined with what delight the starving 

 party received it. They feasted on it till most of them 

 became ill. Soon after this seal was captured a storm 

 came on, and it was feared that the Hoe would break up : 

 the noise of the ice was like that of artillery. All the 

 party remained dressed and ready in case of sudden 

 disaster. After the gale began to moderate, it was found 

 that the ice all around had been broken up, and that the 

 piece on which they were was now only about 175 yards 

 in size. 



On the 12th March the latitude was found to be 64° 

 32'. On the 27th of this month a bear was shot. This 

 was very much appreciated : the flesh was compared to pork. 

 On the last day of March the latitude was about the same 

 as Cape Farewell — the most southern point of Greenland. 



On the 1st April it was found necessary to abandon 

 the floe and take to the boat. When all the party 

 entered, the boat was found to be overloaded, and 100 lb. 

 of meat and nearly all the clothing had to be thrown 

 overboard. During the next few days the party were 

 kept continually launching and then hauling up the boat 

 on the ice. On the 7th April the ice split across the 

 tent ; the party managed to save themselves, but lost 

 their breakfast. Next day the ice split between the tent 

 and the boat, and it was only with great difficulty that 

 the latter was secured. 



During the next eight days they were imprisoned on 

 the ice, and the amount of food ran very low. On the 



