There was absolutely nothing to see except water and sky; and although the temperature was frequently some degrees above freezing, and became sometimes quite pleasant as they gradually grew accustomed to the outer arctic atmosphere, those who had no particular occupation to divert their minds made frequent complaints of the cold.

There were occasional snow-storms, but these did not last long, and as a rule the skies were clear.
"But think, Sarah," said Samuel Block, in answer to some of her complaints, "what it would be if this were winter, and, instead of being light all the time, it was dark, with the mercury 'way down at the bottom of the thermometer!" "I don't intend to think of it at all," replied Sarah, sharply.

"Do you suppose I am goin' to consent to stay here until the everlastin' night comes on?
If that happened, I would simply stretch myself out and die.
It's bad enough as it is; but when I look out on the sun, and think that it is the same sun that is shinin' on Sardis, and on the house which I hope we are goin' to have when we get back, I feel as if there was somethin' up here besides you, Sammy, that I'm accustomed to.

If it was not for you and the sun, I could not get along at all; but if the sun's gone, I don't think you will be enough.

I wish they would plant that corner-stone buoy and let us be off." But by far the most dissatisfied person on board was the Pole, Rovinski.
He was chained to the floor in the hold, and could see nothing; nor could he find out anything.