CHAP. IX.

Supposed Proceedings of "Investigator."- Object of Lieut. Bedford Pim's Search.- Departure of Banks' Land Party.A few Words about the Dogs.- Mr. Roche leaves to rejoin Lieut. Pim. The new Sledge "Erin."- Return of Mr. Roche. -Remarkable Phenomenon.- A Musk-Ox killed.A few Words about Musk-Oxen.- Departure of Travelling Parties.-Lieut. Hamilton returns.- Arrival of Officers and Men of H. M. S. "Investigator."- Summary of "Investigator's" Proceedings. - Pim and Domville's Journey.Lieut. Pim discovers "Investigator." - Intended Operations of "Investigators" this Spring.-Mode of Travelling. Privations experienced by "Investigators." Unhealthy State of "Investigators."

MONDAY the 9th of March, the weather being remarkably fine, with every appearance of its continuing for some days, Captain Kellett decided on despatching Lieut. Bedford Pim, and the Banks' Land party the following day. The sledges were accordingly packed, and everything was arranged for leaving early on Tuesday morning.

I have already stated that on the arrival of Lieut. Mecham from Winter Harbour with

198 SUPPOSED PROCEEDINGS OF "INVESTIGATOR."

Captain M'Clure's despatch, it was deemed necessary to send a party, as early in the spring as the temperature admitted, to the Bay of Mercy; for, after due consideration of the subject, we had come to the conclusion, that it was quite possible the "Investigator" might not have "broken out" during the autumn of last year, 1852; in that case the scarcity of provisions would render the ship's being abandoned early in the spring absolutely neces

sary.

In the event of this occurring, we had reason to suppose, from various causes, that Captain M'Clure would make the best of his way to the southward, towards the coast of North America; and as subsistence for such a large party would be doubtful in any one route, it was thought extremely probable that he would divide the crew into two divisions; the one making for the Mackenzie, in the hope of reaching the Fort on Peel River, from whence they might expect to gain Fort Good Hope in August, and thus have time to lay in a stock of provisions for the winter; whilst the other section might easily reach Fort Confidence on the Coppermine, near the Great Bear Lake, in time to communicate, if necessary, with Fort Good Hope, before the winter set in.

DEPARTURE OF BANKS' LAND PARTY. 199

Acting therefore on these supposed probabilities, the object of Lieut. Pim and party was to reach the Bay of Mercy as early as practicable; and in the event of the "Investigators" being there, to inform Captain M'Clure of the position of the "Resolute" and "Intrepid" would be the end of his mission; for undoubtedly Captain M'Clure would unhesitatingly abandon the "Investigator," and with his crew make the best of his way towards the "Resolute."

If however the "Investigator" was not there, a search was to be made for documents, which would be most likely to serve as a clue to the track she had taken. Lieut. Pim was to follow up this track, after despatching Dr. Domville back to the ship with all the information he could transmit.

At the request of Lieut. Pim, Captain Kellett allowed him to have the services of Mr. Roche (mate) and ten men, with ten days' provisions, to assist the parties on their way to Cape Providence.

Tuesday, 10th.-At 8:30 A.M. the preparations were reported complete, and the sledges moved forward, with colours flying, taking with them the good wishes of all for their complete success. The travellers were accompanied by the officers

and crews of the ship, the latter assisting at the drag-ropes.

The men of the pioneer parties of the season, had been especially chosen for the service by Lieut. Pim, under the direction of Captain Kellett. The party consisted of Lieut. Bedford Pim, Dr. Domville, nine men, five dogs (and a young puppy), and two sledges,-exclusive of the auxiliaries under the charge of Mr. Roche.

The sledges, although assisted, as I have before stated, by a considerable number of men from the ship, appeared to drag heavily. When about three quarters of a mile from the ships, in crossing a range of miniature Alps, one of the sledges was drawn down the descending slope of the hummocks diagonally, instead of bows first; the consequence was that the sledge, having a considerable inclination, threw all the weight of cargo on the lower runner, and wrenched the heads of the poppets or uprights from the bearer, which was sprung. Men were instantly despatched to the "Intrepid" for another sledge, and soon after, the parties were again in motion.

At 2.30 P.M. the men who left to assist in dragging returned on board, and brought intelligence that the sledge supplied by the "Intrepid"

A FEW WORDS ABOUT THE DOGS.

201

had already shown such evident signs of weakness, as to render it unfit for the service, and it was understood that the dogs would return in the evening for another.

We were therefore not surprised, when, about 5 P.M., Mr. Roche with one man and all the dogs returned on board, and it was arranged to forward a fresh sledge early the next morning.

I have already stated somewhere, that a number of dogs were obtained at Lievely, for the use of the sledges. Our share amounted to six. One, however, poor Tinker, was one of the deserters on the floe, and probably paid for his indiscretion by falling a prey to a bear.

The remainder of our dogs were Lion (the leader of the team), Shakings and Oosky (native for Esquimaux), Sophy, after the belle of Lievely, and Jenny, after I don't know whom.

Late in the autumn, both bitches littered; Sophy and Jenny had eight pups; three of them were drowned on purpose, and a fourth shared the same fate accidentally, by walking into the fire-hole.

I had however almost forgotten to mention poor Napoleon, or Naps as he was more generally called, an Irish retriever, belonging to Captain Kellett. He was a native of Clonmel, but followed