s fixed on. The distance was about half a mile, but the soft
state of the pancake ice rendered the task not a very laborious one,
though often dangerous, as it bent like leather beneath the feet of the
seamen as they were working. At length it was accomplished, and the two
ships were frozen in for another winter.

As there was no time to be lost, arrangements were at once made for
passing it comfortably. Both ships were more thoroughly heated than had
been the case on the previous voyage. They were both more amply
provisioned, and anti-scorbutics against scurvy had been more
bountifully supplied.

To amuse them, the theatre was opened on the 9th of November. The play
of "The Rivals" being chosen, the two captains appeared as _Sir Anthony_
and _Captain Absolute_.

A school was also established, and it was interesting to observe the
zeal with which the hardy tars applied themselves to their books.

Sixteen of the men who had before been unable to form a letter could by
Christinas write very well. That day was passed with the usual
festivities, the seamen being amply regaled with fresh beef, cranberry
pies, and grog, when they drank, with three hearty cheers, the health of
each officer in succession. The shortest day was scarcely observed;
indeed, the sun did not entirely leave them.

A few hares were caught, with a purely white covering, which resembled
swans'-down rather than hair, and about a hundred white foxes were
snared in the nets. At first they were perfectly ungovernable, but in a
short time the young ones threw off their timidity, and became tame.

The sky was frequently brilliantly lighted by the _aurora borealis_.
The light had a tendency to form an irregular arch, which in calm
weather was very distinct. When the air became agitated, showers of
rays spread in every direction with the rapidity of lightning.
Sometimes long streams of light were spread out with inconceivable
swiftness. No rule could be traced in the movement of the light parcels
which are called the "merry dancers." The sun and moon were often
surrounded with haloes and concentric circles of vapour, tinted with the
brightest hues of the rainbow. Parhelia, or mock suns, frequently shone
in different quarters of the firmament. Still the life the explorers
were compelled to lead was becoming very monotonous, when, on the
morning of the ist of February, a number of figures were seen in the
distance, moving over the ice. The spy-g