lence of the gale. The ice was covered
deeply with snow, which made a dazzling scene when lit by the
brilliant sun. We seemed transported to a new world. Far as the eye
could see huge masses of ice interposed with floe bergs of vast
dimensions. The captain allowed the sailors to exercise themselves on
the solidly frozen snow. It was impossible to get any fresh meat, as
the pack, being of a temporary nature, had not yet become the home of
bear, walrus, or seal.

We saw a water sky in the north, showing that there was open water in
that direction, but meantime we could do nothing but drift in the
embrace of the ice in an easterly direction. In about a week the pack
began to open and water lanes to appear. A more or less open channel
appearing in a northeasterly direction, we got the ship warped around,
and, getting up steam, drew slowly out of the pack.

Birds began to appear and flocks of ducks and geese flew across our
track, taking a westerly course. We were now in the latitude of
Wrangel Island, but in west longitude 165. We had the good fortune to
see a large bear floating on an isolated floe toward which we steered.
I drew blood at the first shot, but Flathootly's rifle killed him. The
sailors had fresh meat that day for dinner.

The day following we brought down some geese and elder ducks that
sailed too near the ship. We followed the main leads in preference to
forcing a passage due north, and when in lat. 78' long. 150' the watch
cried out "Land ahead!" On the eastern horizon rose several peaks of
mountains, and on approaching nearer we discovered a large island
extending some thirty miles north and south. The ice-foot surrounding
the land was several miles in width, and bringing the ship alongside,
three-fourths of the sailors, accompanied by the entire dogs and
sledges, started for the land on a hunting expedition.

It was a fortunate thing that we discovered the island, for, with our
slow progress and monotonous confinement, the men were getting tired
of their captivity and anxious for active exertion.

The sailors did not return until long after midnight, encouraged to
stay out by the fact that it was the first night the sun remained
entirely above the horizon.

It was the 10th of April, or rather the morning of the 11th, when the
sailors returned with three of the five sledges laden with the spoils
of the chase. They had bagged a musk ox, a bear, an Arctic wolf, and
six hares--a good day's work. Grog