After a hot meal all hands, except the watchman, turned in.
Every one was in need of rest after the troubles of the previous night and the unaccustomed strain of the last thirty-six hours at the oars.
The berg appeared well able to withstand the battering of the sea, and too deep and massive to be seriously affected by the swell; but it was not as safe as it looked.

About midnight the watchman called me and showed me that the heavy north-westerly swell was undermining the ice.
A great piece had broken off within eight feet of my tent.

We made what inspection was possible in the darkness, and found that on the westward side of the berg the thick snow covering was yielding rapidly to the attacks of the sea.

An ice-foot had formed just under the surface of the water.

I decided that there was no immediate danger and did not call the men.