292 
APPROACH OF DAY. 
lie left us, and the refraction, besides distorting his out- 
line, seemed to have given him the same oblateness or 
horizontal expansion which we observe in the disks 
of the larger planets when nearing the horizon. 
For some days the sun-clouds at the south had been 
changing their character. Their edges became better 
defined, their extremities dentated, their color deeper 
as well as warmer; and from the spaces between the 
lines of stratus hurst out a blaze of glory, typical of the 
longed-for sun. He came at last : it was on the 29th. 
My journal must tell the story of his welcoming, at 
the hazard of its seeming extravagance : I am content 
that they shall criticise it who have drifted for more 
than twelve weeks under the night of a Polar sky. 
“ J " %nuary 29. Going on deck after breakfast at eight 
this morning, I found the dawning far advanced. The 
whole vault was bedewed with the coming day ; and, 
except Capella, the stars were gone. The southern 
horizon was clear. We were certain to see the sun, 
after an absence of eighty-six days. It had been ar- 
ranged on board that all hands should give him three 
cheers for a greeting; hut I was in no mood to join 
the sallow- visaged party. I took my gun, and walked 
over the ice about a mile away from the ship to a sol- 
itary spot, where a great big hummock almost hem- 
med me in, opening only to the south. There, Par- 
see fashion, I drank in the rosy light, and Avatched the 
horns of the crescent extending themselves round to- 
ward the north. There was hardly a breath of wind, 
with the thermometer at only —19°, and it was easy, 
therefore, to keep warm by walking gently up and 
down. I thought over and named aloud every one of 
our little circle, F. and M., T. and P., B. and J., and 
our dear, bright little W. ; Avondered a Avhile whether 
