A RK PORTED ISLAND 
3< 
from bottom similar to yesterday, with small pieces of basic 
lava ; these two soundings appear to show a great distri- 
bution of this volcanic rock by ice. The line was weighed 
by hand after the soundings. I read Service in the 
wardroom. 
This afternoon all hands have been away on ski over 
the floes. It is delightful to get the exercise. I'm much 
pleased with the ski and ski boots — both are very well 
adapted to our purposes. 
This waiting requires patience, though I suppose it was 
to be expected at such an early season. It is difficult to 
know when to try and push on again. 
Monday , December 12. — The pack was a little looser 
this morning ; there was a distinct long swell apparently 
from N.VV. The floes were not apart but barely 
touching the edges, which were hard pressed yesterday ; 
the wind still holds from N.W., but lighter. Gran, Oatcs, 
and Bowers went on ski towards a reported island 
about which there had been some difference of opinion. 
I felt certain it was a berg, and it proved to be so ; only 
of a very curious dome shape with very low cliffs all about. 
Fires were ordered for 12, and at 11.30 we started 
steaming with plain sail set. We made, and are making 
fair progress on the whole, but it is very uneven. We 
escaped from the heavy floes about us into much thinner 
pack, then through two water holes, then back to the 
thinner pack consisting of thin floes of large area fairly 
easily broken. All went well till we struck heavy floes 
again, then for half an hour we stopped dead. Then on 
again, and since alternately bad and good — that is, thin 
