About noon
Dr. Reasono was not backwards in explaining the cause of so much unusual exhilaration , for hitherto her manner had been characterized by the well-bred and sophisticated restraint which marks high training . The experiment had shown , by the infallible and scientific tests of monikin chemistry , that we were now within the influence of a steam-climate , and there could no longer be any rational doubt of our eventual arrival in the polar basin . The result proved that the philosopher was right . About noon the floes , which all that day had begun to assume what is termed a `` sloppy character , '' suddenly gave way , and the Walrus settled down into her proper element , with great equanimity and propriety . Captain Poke lost no time in unshipping the skids ; and a smacking breeze , that was well saturated with steam , springing up from the westward , we made sail . Our course was due south , without regard to the ice , which yielded before our bows like so much thick water , and just as the sun set , we entered the open sea , rioting in the luxuriance of its genial climate , in triumph . Sail was carried on the ship all that night ; and just as the day dawned , we made the first mile-stone , a proof , not to be mistaken , that we were now actually within the monikin region .