CHAPTER X 



SUNSHINE AND STORM 



Return of the Sun — Furious Storm and Inundation at Redcliffe — Repairing the 

 Damage — Verhoeff's Birthday — Fears for Dr. Cook and Astrup — Rescue of 

 Jack — BattHng with an Arctic Hurricane — Down with the Grippe — Daz- 

 zling March Scenery — The Commander has the Grippe — Astrup and Gibson 

 reconnoiter after Dogs — The Widow returns a Bride — The Snow begins to 

 Melt — Sunning Babies on the Roof. 



Sunday, February 14. At home this is St. Valentine's day. 

 Here it is simply Sunday, and for me a lonely one. This 

 morning Mr. Peary, Astrup, and Dr. Cook started for the 

 mountain-top with their sleeping-gear and provisions for two 

 days. The day has been misty, cloudy, and rough. At six A. M. 

 the temperature was ii)4°, and at eight it was 33°, with the 

 wind blowing a gale that shook the doors and windows of 

 our little home for the first time since it was really finished. 

 At eight in the evening the mercury had fallen one degree, 

 and the wind was blowing in gusts, but with greater force 

 than before. I am worried about our travelers. Gibson just 

 brought in a piece of ice perfectly wet and covered with wet 

 snow, which shows the effect of the high temperature. He 

 says he can hardly stand up against the wind, but that it is 

 warm, almost balmy. Jack came to the door and whined 



