128 THE SIEGE OF THE NORTH POLE 



the words in a Times leading article, when the paper was 

 held up facing the south. On the 9th November, Nares 

 writes : — 



" To-day the moon reappeared above the southern 

 horizon. Her movements are so important to us that a 

 monthly bulletin is published giving the precise account 

 of when she will appear and when depart. She is truly 

 the ' presiding goddess ' of the long Arctic night ; re- 

 flecting to us, during each of her visits, the light of the 

 totally absent sun for ten successive days and nights 

 as she circles round the heavens without ever setting. 

 During some period of her stay full moon occurs, and she 

 displays her greatest beauty. At the time of new moon, 

 when her light would be of the least value, she is absent 

 in southern latitudes. Thanks to her we can never 

 realise what existence would be if totally deprived of 

 light." 



On the 23rd of November mercury became frozen for 

 the first time, at —45° F. The mean temperature of 

 February was —38° F. The mean for the 3rd and 

 4th March was -69'6°. On the 3rd March two reliable 

 thermometers registered below —73° F., or 105° below the 

 freezing-point of fresh water. 



Nothing of special importance occurred during the 

 winter. Christmas was spent cheerfully ; a school was 

 started, and a course of lectures and entertainments was 

 given every Thursday evening. There was little but the 

 weather to chronicle. 



On the 12th of March, Mr. Egerton and Lieutenant 

 Rawson, accompanied by Petersen and nine dogs, started 

 for the Discovery, the sledge being weighted to 51 lb. 

 per dog. This party had to return on the 15th owing to 

 the illness of Petersen. " He was taken ill on the 2nd 

 March with cramp, and afterwards, being unable to retain 

 any food whatever, nothing could keep him warm, and he 



