408 FARTHEST NORTH 



and west. The snow was in splendid condition after the 

 winds; you fly along like thistledown before a breeze, and 

 can get about everywhere, even over the worst pressure- 

 mounds. The weather was beautiful, temperature only 

 38° Fahr. below zero ( — 39 C.) ; but this evening it is 

 quite bitter again, 55^ Fahr. ( — 48.5° C.) and from 16 to 

 26 feet of wind. It is by no means pleasant work stand- 

 ing up on the windmill, reefing or taking in the sails ; it 

 means aching nails, and sometimes frost-bitten cheeks; 

 but it has to be done, and it is done. There is plenty of 

 ' mill-wind ' in the daytime now — this is the third week 

 we have had electric light — but it is wretched that it 

 should be always this north and northwest wind; good- 

 ness only knows when it is going to stop. Ca}i there 

 be land north of us? We are drifting badly south. It is 

 hard to keep one's faith alive. There is nothing for it 

 but to wait and see what time will do. 



" After a long rest the ship got a shake this afternoon. 

 I went on deck. Pressure was going on in an opening 

 just in front of the bow. We might almost have expected 

 it just now, as it is new moon ; only we have got out of 

 the way of thinking at all about the spring tides, as they 

 have had so little effect lately. They should of course 

 be specially strong just now, as the equinox is approach- 

 ing. 



"Friday, March 9th. The net- line pointed slightly 

 southwest this morning; but the line attached to a 

 cheese which was only hanging a few fathoms below the 



