12L 



CHAPTER IV. 



Land reached. Ice-gauge placed. Ice Table. Second Sledges leave. 

 Observations on Thermometers. Absence of North and South 

 Winds. A Clever Wolf. Wines frozen. Capture of a Fox. Un- 

 due Cold. Indications of the Season. A Hare shot. Arrival of 

 Lieutenant Hamilton. Establishment of Caches. Captain Kellett's 

 Proceedings. Return of M'Clintock. Abundance of Game. Posi- 

 tion of ' Investigator' and ' Resolute.' Insecurity. Communication 

 impracticable. Allotment of Crews. Health of Crews. Deaths. 



I SUCCEEDED today in reaching the land, and strolled 

 along the first terraced level, from which I obtained a 

 fair view of the Channel, and am inclined to think that 

 appearances at present are in favour of our getting out 

 of this trap in summer, if not clogged by Admiralty Or- 

 ders ; I mean, as to imperative return of the steamers 

 sent to our relief. If the open water about Beechey Is- 

 land permits of the detention of the vessels there, it may 

 be possible that 'Assistance' and 'Pioneer' may be ex- 

 tricated in time to prevent the very great mortification of 

 abandoning our homes and all our valuables ; for having 

 experienced one heavy loss in the ' Samarang/ I have 

 no wish to conclude it more decidedly. Two fires are 

 deemed to be certain ruin. 



