302 LOST DOG RECOVERED. \Jime, 



my return, and guard the tent." This was mistaken, 

 failed ; and we lost thereby, in all probability, the musk- 

 oxen and other game. The York bitch, supposed to 

 have been murdered by some bear or wolf, after twenty- 

 two days absence, rejoining in apparent good condition, 

 was sent back with these men.* 



June 8. The rough pack ice presented serious and 

 tiresome difficulties, and the occasional appearance of 

 water, into which our men frequently put their boots knee- 

 deep (without injury or wet), damped, I fear, for a time, 

 the ardour of some of our new hands ; but the old party 

 knew as well as I did that we should soon find the old 

 floe, over which we had travelled safely, at no great dis- 

 tance. Many random shots were fired, none told ; the 

 " flying islands," " water making," and other such hints, 

 all passed by harmless ; my determination was not easily 

 set aside ; on we went in silence, but tongues were loos- 

 ened as we reached the solid smooth floe. Countenances 

 varied as the weather improved : what wonders the sun 

 effects, even in these climes ! 



On the 9th, the outlines of the northern land began 

 to make clearly, indeed to loom large ; our principal 

 difficulties had been surmounted or ceased ; the ice was 

 firm, the floe smooth, and no trace of open water could 

 be discovered. Bear-tracks had become rare, and Punch, 

 poor animal, driven almost to desperation by hunger, 

 having had nothing lately but the scraps of the party to 

 subsist upon, robbed the chest of four pounds of pem- 



* This is a most remarkable event : it was half-starved when it left 

 us, and how it sxistained itself for this long period is quite unaecount- 

 able. 



