IN THE MELVILLE BAY PACK 23 



just as a sheet of glass is shivered when struck a sharp, hard 

 blow. The pieces were hurled against and on top of other 

 pieces, crashing and splashing about until it seemed as though 

 the ice must be as thick again as it was before the break-up ; 

 but the good old " Kite " pushed them aside, leaving them in 

 the distance groaning and creaking at having been disturbed. 

 The day has been pleasant, in spite of an average tempera- 

 ture of 27}'i°. 



Tuesday, July 14. How different everything looks to us 

 since I last wrote in this journal ! Saturday the weather was, 

 as usual, cold and foggy; and when, at 5.30 P. M., we found 

 ourselves suddenly moving, every one was elated, hoping we 

 would be able to get into the clear water ahead, which the 

 mate said could be seen from the crow's-nest. Mr. Peary was 

 particularly pleased, as he said we should then reach Whale 

 Sound by July 15, the limit he had set for getting there. 

 After supper he and I bundled up and went on deck, and 

 watched the " Kite " cut through the rotten ice like butter. 

 We had been on the bridge for some time, when Mr. Peary 

 left me to warm his feet in the cabin. Coming on deck again, 

 he stepped for a moment behind the wheel-house, and im- 

 mediately after, I saw the wheel torn from the grasp of the two 

 helmsmen, whirling around so rapidly that the spokes could 

 not be seen. One of the men was thrown completely over 

 it, but on recovering himself he stepped quickly behind the 

 house, and I instantly realized that something must have hap- 

 pened to my husband. How I got to him I do not know, but 



