Sept. 1857. BEARS— AMUSEMENTS.' 51 



walking ; the old ice on the contrary is covered 

 with a foot of soft snow. We have no shooting ; 

 scarcely a living creature has been seen for a 

 week. 



24,th. — Yesterday I thought I saw two of our 

 men walking at a distance, and beyond some 

 unsafe ice, but on inquiry found that all were 

 on board : Petersen and I set off to reconnoitre 

 the strangers ; they proved to be bears, but 

 much too wary to let us come within shot. It 

 was dark when we returned on board after a 

 brisk walk over the new ice. The calm air felt 

 agreeably mild. We were without mittens *, and 

 but that the breath froze upon mustachios and 

 beard, one could have readily imagined the 

 night was comfortably warm. The thermometer 

 stood at 4- 5°. 



To-day when walking in a fresh breeze the 

 wind felt very cold, and kept one on the look- 

 out for frost-bites, although the thermometer 

 was up to 10°. Games upon the ice and skating 

 are our afternoon amusements, but we also have 

 some few lovers of music, who embrace the op- 

 portunity for vigorous execution, without fear of 

 being reminded that others may have ears more 

 sensitive and discriminating than their own. 



2Qth. — The mountain to the north of Melville 

 Bay, known as the * Snowy Peak,' was visible 



E 2 



