Evening journal., 1898-10-12
LIFE IN THE ARCTIC.
ADVENTURE AND EXPLORATION IN
FRANz-JOSEF LAND.

Fluctuations In the Temperature.
Life in the arctic is serious matter,
and one not to be lightly undertaken.
Never to sleep in a bed for three years,
or even in a bunk-such as our prison
ers enjoy-is merely bagatelle, as the
floor and a reindeer skin made a capital
substitute. Looking back ON the expert
ence Of 1000 days spent in the most
northerly inhabited hut in the world
for our quarters were on the eightieth
degree north latitude-I certainly think
our greatest enemies were perpetual
darkness and want Of companionship.
For six men to be boxed up three
years in hut 30 feet long by 20 feet
wide and only 2 feet high, never seeing
any other being nor hearing a scrap Of
news, is trying existence, yet 1 can
unhesitatingly say no jollier or happier
little party ever lived in northern lati-
tudes. -Four months of solid night every
year has, however, depressing effect
not only on the spirits, but on the appe-
tite, and it also destroys sleep. Morn
ing, noon and night become unrecog-
AAaabAOf lntAEtN AnNO Onb kkONAllg
and but for the welcome advent of the
moon once q month, when the sky was
sufficiently clear for us to enjoy her
rays, we lived in a blaolness the dreari-
ness of which is indescribable.
AS tho schoolboy counts the days to
the holidays. so we counted the hours
till the return of the sun, and even as
Grrk ..,.-~ b,,,,,., r,,,. a.
rose, and existence altogether wore a
different complexion. Then exercise be-
came enjoyable, instead of that dreary
daily trudge round given circle in the
dark. With the return Of the light we
felt new life and energy. And yet the
climate of Franz-Josef Land, even in
the spring, would not suit all tastes.
Tor example, out Of 90 days sledging,
ending in May, 1897, Mr.. Albert Armi.
tage and 1 enjoyed only 131S tolerably
clear daysl Driving snow, wind and
bitter cold were general, for, be it un.
derstood, in all these three years the
thermometer never rose higher than / !
degrees above freezing point, and 20 tC
so degrees below that point was quite
| common.
They say cells get used to skinning
Well, we may have fairly got used Il
wind, mist and snow, but we hardly
liked it
Occasionally bear hunt would Civ
us some diversion. always allowed
two or three dogs, which showed SOM
aptitude for bear hunting, to run loos
during the winter and had one dog
Nimrod, tied to a rough kennel jus
outside the hut. These dogs would &c
ON the track Of a bear ON the foe ant
set up barking. Nimrod would TAX
up the chorus and thus let us know
what was going ON.
One Of my men and would then SO
Off in chase with our rifles and, guide
by the cry Of tho dogs, stumble throug
the mist and darkness over the foe:
After proceeding mile or so, gradual
the noise would become more and MOI
distinct, and some email dark object
jumping around q large yellow one
from which proceed loud Kisses an
snarls, would appear in sight.
A halt is then called to enable us {
recover our wind after rough an
tumble pursuit.
The bear in the meantime has bee
engaged in making rushes at the dogs
ono Of whom, with his tail tucked be
tween his legs and looking as if he ha
seen things he would gladly forget, run
mp to where we are standing.
We then separate and advance fror
opposite points until within about te
yards of our game, my rule being I
approach the animal until the outline
of his head could be distinctly mad
out. He appears to be a little undecide
as to whether to charge us or to beat
, retreat, but dog, taking advantage {
his indecision and encouraged by OF
presence. makes insolent remarks almo
: retaliate. At the same moment tw
shots ring out, and poor Mr.. Bear rol
over dead.
One of us then returns to the hut
bring out sledge party to haul him il
We drag him into a canvas hut, reser'
! ed for bear slkinning during the darl
ness, and remove his skin and cut U
> tAo NttANdnn 1nbo II
e dense atmosphere caused by the risin
! steam in the intensely cold air sugges
a laundry in full swing.
The fluctuations in the temperatul
were very trying. Frequently with Il
onset Of a southeast gale it rose from 4
e degrees below zero to 2s degrees abov
b within 80 Ghours-altering our garment
+ which had previously been frozen
I hard as sheets Of galvanized iron,
that it took us hours to get into then
to state of noisome moistness, and g
erything inside the tent would be in
. condition Of drip. Down again wou
\ 90 the temperature, and the rockiness
2 cur clothes and equipment would be il
: creased. This addition Of moisture al
= ice in our clothes, besides being inco
. venient and uncomfortable, greatly i
d creased our weights. To give an 4
o stnnce, my militia (fur jumper), whit
ON leaving the hut weighed a little und
= 10 pounds. ON our return scaled near
n 80 pounds. The rises of temperatu
and consequent wet in the tent causl
our furs to rot, and the stencil mat
thereby was absolutely indescribable.
II "Days In the Arctic, " by Frederick {