1854.] FINAL PREPARATIONS. 213 



that instant near Charing Cross. A hot bath and rest 

 relieved me. Of sleep I will say nothing ; but at my 

 usual hour I found myself at breakfast beside a very 

 comfortable fire. 



Having now established my head-quarters at North- 

 umberland House, or, more strictly speaking, with my 

 pendant in my gig, for which purpose I brought with me 

 her own crew, it may not perhaps be amiss to explain 

 that unless the ship to which a Captain belongs is pre- 

 sent, or represented by one of her boats, a question may 

 arise as to the power of command ; and notwithstanding 

 all precedents in Arctic service indicate this power to be 

 carried from ship to ship in the event of accident, it does 

 not unmistakably render it a law of the service, to which 

 persons inclined to stir up discord may have recourse. 



Measures were now adopted for meeting every emer- 

 gency, in the event of the sudden appearance of vessels 

 from England ; either for reoccupying or abandoning the 

 vessels, as well as completing this depot, to afford relief 

 to any parties advancing, or even to subsist part of our 

 own crews, should I find it necessary to despatch the 

 ' North Star' to England at the earliest open water, re- 

 maining behind myself to await the extrication of the 

 ' Assistance.' At present such was my intention, as may 

 be gathered from my public despatch of the 1 5th of Au- 

 gust, 1854, written at a moment when I had determined 

 to send Captain Kellett home in command of the ' North 

 Star.' 



Having in the previous part of my narrative given the 

 greater portion, I shall merely add such extracts as relate 

 to my views up to that date. 



