196 MECHAM REACHES BEECHEY ISLAND. [June, 



strong easterly winds, causing snow blindness through- 

 out the party. 



At Dealy Island they found that Mr. Krabbe had re- 

 turned, and gone forward on the 26th, and Lieutenant 

 Hamilton on the 21st. 



Lieutenant Mecham observes that they were gratified 

 by the receipt of letters, newspapers, and news of all 

 kinds contributed by their shipmates, which, although it 

 added to their pleasure, did not at all facilitate their rest. 



Anxious, we can all understand him to be, to commu- 

 nicate this, his second piece of great success ; first the 

 document of Commander M'Clure, and now those from 

 Captain Collinson. Onward he rushed, overtook Mr. 

 Krabbe on the 30th near Point Griffiths, travelled in 

 company to the Depot at Cape Cockburn, but, finding 

 that he was able to move faster alone, left him to proceed 

 at a more moderate pace, overtaking Lieutenant Ha- 

 milton with the dog-sledge off Cape Capel, distressed 

 for food for the animals. They were recruited by some 

 damaged pemrnican, in the hope of advancing him with 

 the news to Beechey Island; but, aided by canvas, he 

 managed to keep up, and shortly after reaching Cape 

 Hotham he transferred his sledge to Lieutenant Hamil- 

 ton, and made the best of his way with the dogs to 

 Beechey Island, reaching it at 4.30 A.M. of the 12th ; 152 

 travelling hours from Dealy Island, and averaging on 61^ 

 journeys in an absence of 70 days, 18*8 geographical, or 

 21 '7 statute miles at the drag rope! a feat, as far as 

 the human constitution and the courage and spirit of the 

 British seaman is concerned, I think without a parallel. 



I must now turn to Mr. Krabbe. Parting company 



