300 DR. LYALL AND MR. ALLARD JOIN. \Jtttie, 



before eleven we noticed a flag on the south beacon, and 

 a party was discovered advancing to meet vis from that 

 direction. A little before midnight I had the pleasure 

 of shaking hands with Dr. Lyall and Mr. Allard. They 

 had reached the rendezvous, according to arrangement, 

 the night before, bringing the latest intelligence from 

 Commander Richards, as well as the missing despatches, 

 which were found on the second attempt (accompanied 

 by Dr. Lyall) just where they should have been on the 

 first visit, had proper vigilance been observed. 



After luncheon we moved forward to the north end of 

 the island, where the other sledges were directed to as- 

 semble, bringing up the depot. Time being now a valu- 

 able commodity, I ascended the peak of the island, and 

 fortunately obtained the most important stations : I also 

 saw our new islands, and thus I imagined all doubt was 

 silenced. A much increased cairn was erected, and we 

 returned to our tents. 



The so-termed " despatches" did not contain one line 

 from the Admiralty ; they were simply service letters or 

 official returns from Commander Pullen. By this con- 

 veyance I received details of Commander Inglefield's 

 proceedings and discoveries in the ' Isabel,' at Whale, 

 Smith, and Jones's Sounds, and I now regretted that he 

 had not been able to obtain one satisfactory line to my 

 eastern headland from that side ; but the cheering intelli- 

 gence that the Squadron generally were all supposed to 

 be pursuing satisfactorily, and without obstruction, their 

 several allotted duties, was matter of congratulation : so 

 far all well. Next, my despatches from Commander 

 Richards were very satisfactory ; the rendezvous, differ- 



