KENNEDY'S JOURNEY. 381 



for an immediate start were made ; and, on the 25th of 

 that month, equipped with snow-shoes, sledges, and 

 dogs, they left the vessel. 



The party which now set out were a detachment of 

 five men, under the command of Kennedy. These were 

 to be followed in a few days by another detachment, 

 under Bellot, who was to be waited for at Fury Beach, 

 whence the whole, amounting 1 to fourteen men, were to 

 start upon hitherto untrodden ground. They were es- 

 corted as far as the south point of Batty Bay by part 

 of the ship's company, who were to remain behind. 

 At this point they separated with many kind farewells 

 and three hearty cheers, after which they were soon lost 

 to each other in the mist. 



During the first part of the journey, the equinoctial 

 gales blew with great violence. They were frequently 

 detained for whole days at a time in their encampment 

 by these fierce winds, from whose bitter fury they were, 

 however, well protected by the snow-houses which they 

 built. " The gale," says Kennedy, " of Saturday (28th 

 February) continuing during three days, we were of 

 necessity compelled to remain in camp. During a short 

 interval, about the 2d of March, the weather appearing to 

 get more moderate, we were enabled to return for what 

 cargo had been left behind during our former trip. It 

 was taken onward as far as we dared, and we returned 

 to the camp against a wind so keen, that no face escaped 

 being frost-bitten the strong wind, in this instance, 

 being the cause rather than the degree of temperature, 

 for this was comparatively moderate. On the morning 

 of the 3d a lull of an hour or so enticed us to bundle 

 up and lash our sleigh. No sooner had we done this, 

 and proceeded a short distance, than the gale came on 

 with redoubled fury, in consequence of which we had 

 to hasten back to our snow retreat, and were glad 



