330 DESPATCH FROM COMMANDER RICHARDS. [June, 



and their two boats. On examining the inner channel ice, 

 it was found, in the tideway, where many holes existed, 

 to average two feet in thickness. 



The Lady Fanny Disco* was despatched (in lieu of a 

 carrier-pigeon) to the ship, adorned with a yellow flannel 

 necklace, within the folds of which a note to my steward 

 was secured, directing him to make the necessary prepa- 

 rations for my return : this trust she faithfully executed. 

 But her poor companion, Mr. Neptune, having been 

 drummed out and declared by all the sledge crews as 

 a notorious pemmican thief, had committed suicide by 

 attempting to steal the bait of a spring-gun set for the 

 won which had followed our dogs up to the ship : no 

 one had yet succeeded in capturing one of these animals. 



I now proceed to explain the nature of the despatch 

 received from Commander Richards, and the circum- 

 stances attending his meeting with Lieutenant Hamilton. 

 Alluding to Lieutenant Osborn he observes : 



"We parted on the evening of the 17th of May, and 

 on the morning of the 18th, steering at the time to the 

 north-westward, I discovered sledge tracks, apparently 

 very recent. Halting the sledge, I proceeded with two 

 of my crew to follow them up, and in the course of an 

 hour came upon the encampment, which proved to be a 

 party under Lieutenant Hamilton, twenty-one days ab- 

 sent from the 'Resolute;' we must have passed each other 

 within one mile, but the thick weather, had it not been 

 for the sledge tracks, would have prevented our meeting. 



"From Lieutenant Hamilton I learned that H.M.S. 

 Resolute and Intrepid had reached Winter Harbour, 



* One of the dogs, so named by the men. 



