82 PARTING CEREMONIES. [Allfflisl, 



for their guidance during our separation, our despatches 

 and last letter-bags for home were closed, and delivered 

 to Commander Pullen, in the hope that the ' Prince Al- 

 bert' might stray this way on her homeward passage. 

 And now a very painful and exciting duty remained to 

 be performed. The crews of the Squadron having been 

 collected under the Union, on the floe, were addressed 

 on their several duties. The beautiful prayer composed 

 by the Rev. H. Lindsay, for the commencement of tra- 

 velling, was read, and a copy distributed to each person. 

 After many and some very warm expressions and pres- 

 sures of the hand, we parted to our several duties, Cap- 

 tain Kellett remaining with me to the last ; for in such a 

 service there are many last explanations. But on one 

 point a most fervent determination, " God walling," was 

 exchanged, "to communicate in 77 N. and 105 W." 

 About eleven P.M., all our arrangements being complete, 

 I took leave of my companions ; and as they passed 

 over the side, the order "Let go the warps" was issued. 

 Towed by the ' Pioneer,' we slowly moved forward, 

 cheering and cheered, until the island intercepted further 

 communication. 



We were now entering the threshold of the contested 

 Wellington Channel. Anxiety,' deep anxiety, oppressed 

 me ; it was unmixed with doubt, rather the reverse. 

 Through that channel my course lay. If any explanation 

 of my feelings could have been reached, possibly it was 

 nearer to gratitude that Providence had enabled me to be 

 the humble instrument by whom it was to be explored. 



By midnight our entrance, to my mind, was no longer 

 doubtful : no trace of opposition, the clear, deep blue 



