Sunday, April 1st.—This was nearly a perfect day not a speck or flaw in the blue sky anywhere, and the sun brilliant and warm (comparatively).
It was a shame to be wasting such weather in idleness, and yet it could not be helped, nor was it possible to be seriously downhearted in such sunshine. In the morning the centre of the lead had closed so that a man “walking wide” as the polar bear does, could cross it, but an easterly movement of the northern ice during the night had opened a place some 200 feet wide on the northern side of the lead which effectually barred crossing. The set of the current was still to the west. A light air from N. E., N. and N. W. during the day might I hoped shut the lead up by morning.
We continued drying our clothing in the sun and doing odd jobs to pass away time and keep from thinking. It was wearing to be held from one’s work and object so many days, and yet there were many chances yet. It was still early in the season, dogs and men were in good condition, and I could not help believing that once across this lead (the “Hudson River?”) which is undoubtedly the tidal crack between the land ice of Lincoln Sea and the central polar pack, we should have good going and little interruption from water.
I had two beacons made of empty pemmican tins and placed one on the summit of Observatory Pinnacle, and the other on a high pinnacle to the west.
I quote from my Journal:
April 2d.—Across the “Hudson River” at last, thank God, after a loss of seven days of fine weather.
Ryan came in about nine last evening with his three men Ahngodoblaho, “Teddy” and Itukashoo.
He brings a story of delay from open leads at the igloos where the Doctor turned back; again this side of cache number two, and in his last march here, which makes my men’s faces very long. The Captain was also bothered by open water and was three days getting to the cache. Ryan met him just this side.
On the other hand he says from the “Dr.’s igloos” in to the land the ice has not moved, and that there was no wind in near the land on the 22d.
He brought very light loads. But it all helps, and Marvin and Clark must be close behind.