346 PROPOSED MOVEMENTS. \Jllllj, 



tigatoi-Y crew be found unfit to contend with another 

 winter, I shall proceed with both ships to Beechey Is- 

 land. Should I find no contrary orders from you there, 

 I shall despatch ' North Star' and ' Intrepid' to England, 

 taking 'North Star's' place myself. 2nd. Should they 

 be found able to contend with another winter on the 

 increased allowance of provisions, I shall despatch ' In- 

 trepid/ the moment water makes, with that portion of 

 ' Investigator's' crew now here, and reduce ray own to 

 thirty men and eight officers, with directions to proceed 

 to England, depositing all the coal and provisions she 

 can spare at Beechey Island, if it can be done without 

 risking another winter within the Arctic circle, remain- 

 ing here myself for the result of Commander M'Clure's 

 attempt to cross the strait in his ship, and finally to re- 

 main next winter in this neighbourhood, if he fails in 

 getting across." 



The remaining parts of his letter, alluding to opera- 

 tions after becoming extricated, must wait for that con- 

 summation. Dr. Domville, whom he had despatched to 

 survey the remaining crew on board the ' Investigator/ 

 had not returned when Commander Richards left ; but 

 he seemed to think that she would be abandoned, which 

 it is to be hoped has long ere this been done. These 

 mousetraps are not easy of escape ! In his private letter 

 he adds, " Should I be obliged to stay, I shall send a 

 party next year to the south point of Baring Island to 

 look for Collinson, and one to Point Cockburn to meet 

 yours or 'North Star's. " : Commander Richards gives 

 a cheering description of their luxurious feeding, having 

 been regaled with every known Arctic delicacy but sal- 



