I had never experienced such cold.
Yet the months of November and December, which at the time I thought were the extreme of winter weather, were as nothing to the polar blasts that poured down upon us in January and February.

I had no thermometer.
But judging by subsequent observations I am sure that the temperature reached twenty degrees below zero.

I took no baths in the brook now but contented myself with a hurried splash from a pan.

At night I covered myself with all the blankets that I could support.

I protected my face with a woolen cap, which was drawn over the ears as well.