i9io] CHRISTMAS IN THE ICE 57 
winds in a region where a predominance of easterly might 
be expected. 
Now that we have an easterly, what will be the result ? 
Sunday, December 25, Christmas Day. — Dead reckoning 
69 0 5' S., 178 0 30' E. The night before last I had bright 
hopes that this Christmas Day would see us in open water. 
The scene is altogether too Christmassy. Ice surrounds 
us, low nimbus clouds intermittently discharging light snow 
flakes obscure the sky, here and there small pools of open 
water throw shafts of black shadow on to the cloud — this 
black predominates in the direction from whence we have 
come, elsewhere the white haze of ice blink is pervading. 
We are captured. We do practically nothing under sail 
to push through, and could do little under steam, and at 
each step forward the possibility of advance seems to lessen. 
The wind which has persisted from the west for so 
long fell light last night, and to-day comes from the 
N.E. by N., a steady breeze from 2 to 3 in force. Since 
one must have hope, ours is pinned to the possible effect 
of a continuance of easterly wind. Again the call is for 
patience and again patience. Here at least we seem to 
enjoy full security. The ice is so thin that it could not 
hurt by pressure — there are no bergs within reasonable 
distance — indeed the thinness of the ice is one of the most 
tantalising conditions. In spite of the unpropitious pros- 
pect everyone on board is cheerful and one foresees a 
merry dinner to-night. 
The mess is gaily decorated with our various banners. 
There was full attendance at the Service this morning and 
a lusty singing of hymns. 
