Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1884-06-18
Life In an Ice-Pack.

as told by Capt. DE Long in his diary
occurs this narrative of a summer day
in the Arctic's realms:
June 2lst, Monday.-The advent and
departure of another day to record and
except that it is the longest day in the
year to some people Though not, OF
course, to us, since we have the sun the
whole twenty-four hours), it is hardly
worth recording. Observations show
us that we have drifted, since the 18th,
eleven and three-tenth miles to S $50 E.
Discouraging very. And yet my motto
is, "IIope on, hope ever" A very good
one it is when ones surroundings are
more natural than ours but situated
As We are it is better in the abstract
than in realization. There can be no
greater wear and tear on mans mind
and patience than this life In the pack.
The absolute monotony the unchang-
ing round of hours the awakening to
the same things and the same conditions
that one saw just before losing ones
self in sleep the same faces the same
dogs the same ice the same convic-
ton that tomorrow will he exactly the
same ss to-day, if not little more dis
agreeable the absolute impotence to do
anything, to go anywhere, or to change
ones situation an iota the realization
that foed is being consumed and fuel
burned with no valuable result, beyond
sustaining life; the knowledge that no.
thing has been accomplished thus far to
save this expedition from being denom-
mated An utter failure all these things
crowd in with irresistible force on my
reasoning powers each night as l Sit
down to reflect ON the events of the
day, and but for some still small voice
within me, that tells me this can hardly
be the ending of all my labor and zeal,
| should be tempted TO despair.
All our books are read, our stories re-
lated our games OF chess, cards and
checkers long since discontinued. When
we assemble in the morning at breakfast
we make daily a fresh start. Any
dreams, amusing or peculiar, are related
and laughed over. Theories as to wheth-
er we shall eventually drift n. Z. or N.
| w. are brought forward and disc used.
Seals livers as change of diet are pro-
nounced success. The temperature
Of the morning watch is inquired into,
the direction and velocity OF the wind,
and if it is showing las it generally is)
we call it ''fne summer day." After
breakfast we smoke. Chip gets q
sounding and announces drift 4. 8.
f. or 5. E., as the case may be. We
growl thereat. Dunbar and Alexey 60
of for seals with as many dogs as do
not run away from them en- route. The
doctor examines Danenhower and 1ver-
sen, his two chronic patients, Melville
draws a little for this journal, sings a
little, and stirs everybody up to a reali-
Zation that it is daytime. Danenhower
talks necessarily, on any or all subjects,
with or without an audience. The
doctor mOralizes between observations.
| smoke; Mr.. Newcomb makes his pre-
parations for dredging specimens Mr..
Collins has not appeared, bis usual hour
being 80 in the afternoon. Mean
while, the men have been set at work;
sled and dogs ara despatched for the
days snow for washing purposes. The
decks are cleared up, soundings made,
berth deck inspected, and the work OF
painting. scraplng, or whatever II on
hond commenced. The days rations
are served out to the cook, and then We
commence to drift out on the ice to dig
bitches, to look at the dogs, calculate
the waste in the ice since yesterday,
and the probable amount by tO-MorrOw.
The dredge is lowered and hauled. ]
get the sun at meridian, and We go to
dinner. After dinner more smoke, more
drawing. more singing, more talk, more
ditch and car.al-making, more hunting
more work, more dog inspection, and
some attempts at mapping until 4 P. NJ,
when we are all around for anything
that may turn up. At $50, time and
azimuth sight, post position in cabin,
make chart, go to supper at 6, and dis
cuss our drift, and then smoke, talk and
general kill time occupations until u
P. NJ, when the day is ended. The noise
subsidies. those who can, 60 to bed
write my log and my journal, make the
observations for meteOrolOgy until mid
night. Mr.. Collins succeeds Inc foul
hours. Chip him four hours, the doctor
next four hours, Mr.. Collins next si1
hours, l next two hours, Melville nexl
two hours, and end the day agaiu land
50 il goes.