ELISHA KENT KANE. 85 



and this difficulty led some of the boldest men of 

 the expedition to question the propriety of advancing 

 farther north until the ensuing spring, and led 

 them to think that the brig should be immediately 

 put into winter quarters in the position which she 

 then occupied. Dr. Kane at once called a formal 

 council and listened to their views. He then in- 

 formed them that it was his purpose to secure a 

 position, if possible, which would be more favorable 

 for the sledge-journeys which he intended to send 

 out in different directions from the brig; and that 

 as soon as that position was attained he would put 

 the brig into winter quarters. The crew at once 

 acquiesced in the determination of the commander, 

 and proceeded to carry out his plan of operation. 



The first sledge-journey in which the men of the 

 expedition engaged was made in the "Forlorn 

 Hope," for the purpose of exploring the adjacent 

 coast and ascertaining the best position for winter- 

 ing. After laboriously travelling for five days they 

 were forty miles in a direct line from the brig; 

 although their circuitous route had been much 

 longer: yet, after a careful examination of every 

 accessible point, Dr. Kane came to the conclusion 

 that none of them offered as great advantages for 

 the purpose of wintering as the bay in which he 



had left the Advance. He accordingly returned to 



8 



