We had encountered good leads and workable ice during the early part of the night, and the noon observation showed that our run for the twenty-four hours was the best since we entered the pack a fortnight earlier.

We had made 71 miles S.
4ｰ W.

The ice held us up till the evening, and then we were able to follow some leads for a couple of hours before the tightly packed floes and the increasing wind compelled a stop.

The celebration of Christmas was not forgotten.

Grog was served at midnight to all on deck.