Page:The frozen North; an account of Arctic exploration for use in schools (IA frozennorthaccou00hort).pdf/52

 VII. WINTER IN RENSSELAER HARBOR

1853-1854

The Arctic winter had set in. By the middle of September the thermometer had fallen to 14° and the ice was thickening fast. The long Arctic night was upon the explorers. During that first winter in Rensselaer harbor, the sun was below the horizon one hundred and twenty days, and ninety of these days were totally dark; for the remaining thirty days a faint light like our twilight glimmered during a part of every twenty-four hours.

During the time of darkness little exploring can be done. Explorers are obliged to stay on or near their ship and amuse themselves as best they may until the sun shines again.

Can you fancy a night which lasts as long as ninety of our days? Think of not seeing the sun for more than three months! These men on the Advance suffered from a cold such as we know nothing about, and were often hungry too. Many of them became ill.

Dr. Kane did everything in his power to buoy up their spirits. He was wise enough to know that, if his men had nothing to do, they would become homesick and despairing; so he planned work for all. Some made clothing and boots of the furs and skins they had collected; others made sledges and rope out of hides, or patched up corners of the brig with moss to prevent the cold from entering.

Dr. Kane himself trained the dogs for the sledge jour