THE WINTER NIGHT S'S 



there, shining on our path. I feel as if no ill could be- 

 fall us as long as I see it there. . . . 



" Wednesday, December 6th. This afternoon the ice 

 cracked abaft the starboard quarter; this evening I see 

 that the crack has opened. We may expect pressure 

 now, as it is new moon either to-day or to-morrow." 



" Thursday, December 7th. The ice pressed at the 

 stern at 5 o'clock this morning for about an hour. I 

 lay in my berth and listened to it creaking and grind- 

 ing and roaring. There was slight pressure again in 

 the afternoon ; nothing to speak of. No slackening in 

 the forenoon. 



" Friday, December 8th. Pressure from seven till 

 eight this morning. As I was sitting drawing in the 

 afternoon I was startled by a sudden report or crash. It 

 seemed to be straight overhead, as if great masses of ice 

 had fallen from the rigging on to the deck above my 

 cabin. Every one starts up and throws on some extra 

 garment; those that are taking an afternoon nap jump 

 out of their berths right into the middle of the saloon, 

 calling out to know what has happened. Pettersen 

 rushes up the companion-ladder in such wild haste that 

 he bursts open the door in the face of the mate, who is 

 standing in the passage holding back ' Kvik,' who has 

 also started in fright from the bed in the chart - room, 

 where she is expecting her confinement. On deck we 

 could discover nothing, except that the ice was in mo- 

 tion, and seemed to be sinking slowly away from the 



