Then, under the impulse of the tidal wave, it had opened wider than ever, leaving, in spite of the constantly forming ice, a broad band of black water before us.

I sent MacMillan back with three dog teams and three Eskimos to bring up the load which Kyutah had thrown off before he went back to the land with Marvin, and also to bring up a portion of Borup's cache which we had not been able to load on our sledges.
MacMillan also took a note to leave at Kyutah's cache, telling Marvin where we were held up, and urging him to hurry forward with all possible speed.

The remainder of the party occupied themselves repairing damaged sledges and in drying their clothing over the little oil hand lamps.
All the next day we were still there beside the lead.

Another day, and we were still there.

Three, four, five days passed in intolerable inaction, and still the broad line of black water spread before us.
Those were days of good traveling weather, with temperatures ranging from minus 5 deg.