148 THE SIEGE OF THE NORTH POLE 



Dr. Ambler, frequently tested the amount of carbonic acid 

 gas in the air ; and a thorough examination of the whole 

 party was made monthly. 



During; October the land to the south-west of Herald 

 Island was frequently seen, and De Long came to the 

 conclusion that it was Wrangel Land, and must either be 

 an island or an archipelago. 



Before the sun disappeared on the 16th November 

 a considerable number of seals, several bears, and some 

 walruses had been shot, and served as an important 

 addition to the stock of food for both men and 

 dogs. 



During November ice pressures became severe. On 

 the 24th, the floe in which the Jeannette had been fixed 

 was split, and the ship was once more afloat, but in a 

 most dangerous position. On the 25th, it was driven by 

 the ice about a mile from its previous position, until it held 

 fast in some young ice. 



At this time considerable difficulty was experienced in 

 obtaining water of proper purity. There was little snow 

 on the ice, and what there was contained a large quantity 

 of salt, due to the wind drifting it and mixing it with the 

 salt on the surface of the ice. It was therefore necessary 

 to commence distilling. 



The ice pressure was much less severe during December. 

 From the 2nd to the 18th the change of position was 

 only 8 miles towards the west. Christmas was passed 

 merrily. About the end of December, Danenhower, the 

 navigator of the ship, began to suffer from an inflam- 

 matory trouble in one of his eyes, from which he did not 

 recover during the remainder of the cruise. 



The year 1880 was ushered in by a minstrel entertain- 

 ment given by the crew. On the 19th January the 

 disagreeable discovery was made that the ship was leaking 

 seriously. The ice pressure had evidently caused serious 



