50 MEETS CAPTAIN KELLETT. [October, 



fit for travelling in three days. Captain Kellett was ab- 

 sent; but Mr. MDougall, the commanding officer, made 

 the preconcerted signal for his return, and Monsieur de 

 Bray proceeded with a sledge towards Cape Bounty, to 

 look for him. Dr. Domville was at the ' Investigator/ 

 at Banks Land, holding a medical survey of her crew, 

 and.was hourly expected back. His report would decide 

 the steps to be taken with regard to remaining by or 

 deserting that ship." 



On the 7th Captain Kellett returned, and was of 

 course much surprised and delighted to learn the news 

 and to have the opportunity of such a direct communi- 

 cation with me, more than any day's writing could con- 

 vey. The extract of his letter has already been given. 

 After feasting on venison, musk-ox, hare, ptarmigan, etc., 

 all served in Christian style, he observes, " I could not 

 help contrasting this fare with what my less fortunate 

 shipmates are probably revelling on at present, perad- 

 venture a curried gull, or a steak of walrus or Polar 

 bear !" Captain Kellett having delivered to him the ne- 

 cessary documents, accompanied him one day's march, 

 taking him on his dog-sledge. 



On the 8th of June he took leave of Captain Kellett, 

 and travelled by the eastern coast of Melville Island up 

 the Byam Martin Channel. He adopts the double jour- 

 ney, sleeping between. I cannot perceive the advantage; 

 more is possibly got out of the men, but not justifiably. 

 Broken sleep and double fatigue may not be detected 

 on the light homeward journey ; but, in our case, we 

 returned heavy, did quite as much, and the men were 

 not out of working order : no jaded countenances or 



