350 LIEUTENANT OSBORN REJOINS. 



the signal to start was made, and once more I had the 

 satisfaction of seeing the vessels in motion on their pro- 

 per element. They were brought to a temporary block 

 between me and Spit Island. This was eventually over- 

 come, and I rejoined at eleven P.M., just before she en- 

 tered another lane leading towards Cape Sir John Frank- 

 lin, where Commander Richards and myself landed about 

 one A.M., and visited the station on Mount Percy. All 

 the southern land was well defined, but, aided by a 

 powerful telescope, I was unable to discover the beacon 

 on Cape Lady Franklin, or any trace of our boat. I re- 

 marked that the latter might possibly have taken the 

 western side of Spit Island, and thus be hidden. The 

 sea was still open up to the point, shutting out Cape 

 Becher. We therefore rejoined and moved on : Lieu- 

 tenant Osboru, having my instructions, would seek the 

 vessels in that direction : further instructions and provi- 

 sions awaited him at Loney's station. 



July 15. At midnight Lieutenant Osborn was seen 

 at our floe-edge, and a party sent to aid him in the 

 ' Hamilton.' The mode of direction to both parties was 

 by placing two ship's flags on the proposed line of junc- 

 tion ; each party keeping these in line, although not in 

 sight from each other, by reason of high packed ice, 

 must naturally meet. 



Shortly before midnight Lieutenant Osborn rejoined. 

 As I anticipated, he landed at Spit Island, and was asleep 

 when I was seeking him by telescope from Mount Percy : 

 finding the bay vacant, he moved forward without call- 

 ing at the depot on Loney's Point, and fortunately over- 

 took the ship. His search of the southern coast of 



