The presence of grit in the bottom samples towards the end of the month suggested that we were approaching land again.
The month was not uneventful.

During the night of the 3rd we heard the ice grinding to the eastward, and in the morning we saw that young ice was rafted 8 to 10 ft.

high in places.

This was the first murmur of the danger that was to reach menacing proportions in later months.
The ice was heard grinding and creaking during the 4th and the ship vibrated slightly.

The movement of the floe was sufficiently pronounced to interfere with the magnetic work.