Second Autumn in the Ice. 507 



Besides, it would be strange if we could not manage 

 to average 11^ miles a-day during the whole of the 

 journey, with an average load for each dog of from 

 30 to 40 Ibs. it would not be more. However, if our 

 calculations should prove faulty, we can always, as afore- 

 said, turn back at any moment. 



" What unforeseen obstacles may confront us ? 



" i. The ice may be more impracticable than was 



supposed. 



"2. We may meet with land. 

 " 3. The dogs may fail us, may sicken, or freeze to 



death. 

 " 4. We ourselves may suffer from scurvy. 



" i and 2. That the ice may be more impracticable 

 further north is certainly possible, but hardly probable. 

 I can see no reason why it should be, unless we have 

 unknown lands to the north. But should this be so 

 very well, we must take what chance we find. The ice 

 can scarcely be altogether impassable. Even Markham 

 was able to advance with his scurvy-smitten people. 

 And the coasts of this land may possibly be advanta- 

 geous for an advance ; it simply depends on their 

 direction and extent. It is difficult to say anything 

 beforehand, except that I think the depth of water we 

 have here, and the drift of the ice render it improbable 

 that we can have land of any extent at all close at hand. 

 In any case there must, somewhere or other, be a 



