DREADFUL EFFECTS OF SCURVY.

223

more or less from the effects of scurvy, á disease of all others which terminates fatally when least expected.

M'Donald (the man who was brought over on the sledge) was in a dreadful state; his flesh would retain an impression, if touched with the finger, like dough or putty; his legs were swollen to twice their natural size; whilst his teeth could be moved to and fro in the gums, by the slightest movement of the tongue. He, however, recovered his health.

CHAP. X.

I am ordered to accompany Lieut. Hamilton. - Departure from the Ship.-Travelling Journal.—A Party leaves for Beechey Island. De Bray returns with the Corpse of one of his Crew. Unpleasant Situation of De Bray.-Mr. Dean captures a living Calf (Musk-Ox).- Return of Mr. Nares and Party. Unexpected Arrival of Commander Richards. Route of Commander Richards.- Captain Kellett returns on Board. Commander Richards departs for Northumberland Sound. Mercy.

Return of Dr. Domville from the Bay of "Investigator" is to be abandoned. - Travelling Journal. Conclusion of Journal.

I MUST now for a time leave this, to me, interesting subject, to advert once more to travelling. I have, a few pages back, observed that Captain Kellett had intended prosecuting a search along the coast of Sabine Land to the N.E., and that Lieut. Vesey Hamilton was to have the rendezvous party.

The discovery of the "Investigator," however, caused the Captain to alter the intended arrangements, and as it was necessary he should remain on board, Hamilton had Captain Kellett's route, whilst he himself was reluctantly compelled to

DEPARTURE FROM THE SHIP.

225

give up the rendezvous by Byam Martin Channel.

Hamilton being somewhat late in starting, was to have an additional party to ensure a quiet transit over the land. I was only too happy to accompany him; for although there was but little honour to be gained in acting as a depôt-sledge for forty or fifty miles, I felt that my health required exercise.

I must confess it was not without some painful feelings, that I witnessed the departure of men, younger in age and service than myself in command of travelling parties, not that I had any reason to complain, individually--but, as a member of a particular branch of the service, I regretted that the field of our exertions should be so limited.

Wednesday, 27th. - At 2 P.M. Hamilton and myself, with two sledges and fourteen men, left amidst the cheers of all remaining behind. Domville and Richards accompanied us to beyond the peninsula, and after bidding them adieu, I took to the track belt, and we progressed towards the head of the inlet.

It is not my intention to give a detailed account of our proceedings to and from Hecla and Griper Bay; I shall therefore content myself with a skele

Q

ton journal, in order to render the reading more intelligible.

We reached the South shore of Polynia lake at 8 P.M. the drag on the land from Cart proved hard work. Here we encamped, in accordance with an arrangement between Hamilton and myself to march on a modification of the principle adopted by Captain M'Clure, whose method was to march and rest, every alternate six hours, as I have said.

But we thought twelve hours too much, particularly for the cook of the day (whose duty compels him to remain out of his bag at least three hours more than the rest of the crew), and therefore we decided as follows; viz.

To travel by night for the sake of avoiding the glare of the sun. To commence day's (or rather night's) march at 4 P.M.; grog and bite of biscuit at 7.30; then continue dragging till 10. Pitch tent, and get tea; rest until 2 A.M., when again on the move; grog and biscuit at 4:30 A.m.; pitch tent, and prepare pemican at 6 A.M.; remain in tent for ten hours, and have chocolate previous to starting. Abstracted, this arrangement would be-march six hours, rest four; march four, rest ten; total twenty-four.

TO HECLA AND GRIPER BAY.

227

ROUGH NOTES OF A JOURNEY ACROSS THE LAND FROM BRIDPORT INLET TO HECLA AND GRIPER BAY.

Wednesday, 27th.- Left the ship with one sledge, Mr. Ibbets (engineer), and six men, in company with Lieut. Hamilton's party: the object of my leaving was to assist the latter officer across the land from Bridport Inlet to Point Reed, one of the horns of Hecla and Griper Bay.

After exchanging cheers with Captain Kellett, Captain M'Clure, and the officers and crew of "Resolute" and "Intrepid," we proceeded towards the peninsula, against a fresh northerly breeze.

On nearing the head of the inlet, three flocks of ptarmigan were seen. After a hard drag from the Cart across the land, we pitched tents at 7.30 P.M. on the S. shore of Polynia lake, about two miles long by one broad.

Thursday, 28th. At 2 A.M. struck tent, and proceeded across the lake: when about to start, a man was observed on its northern shore, Hamilton and I walked on in advance of the sledges, rightly supposing the man to be one of Mr. Roche's party we soon afterwards observed the sledges