CHAPTER IX. 



RESEARCHES AND ADVENTURES NEAR THE POLE. 



THE first depot-party sent out by Dr. Kane bad 

 been absent twenty days, wben be thought it proper, 

 and even necessary, to go in searcb of tbem, appre- 

 bending tbat tbey migbt bave met some serious 

 accident. He did so, accompanied by a single per- 

 son, travelling on a sledge drawn by Newfoundland 

 dogs. During tbe progress of tbis trip be was once 

 precipitated witb tbe dogs and sledge into tbe water, 

 baving failed to cross a cbasm in tbe. ice of more 

 tban usual widtb. Dr. Kane succeeded by great 

 exertions in rescuing bis dogs and bis companion 

 from a watery grave ; but tbe danger of deatb to all of 

 tbem was imminent. Tbe party made twenty miles 

 a day, sleeping at nigbt on tbe solid ice-fields. At 

 lengtb, on tbe 15th, Dr. Kane perceived in tbe 

 distance a mysterious object moving slowly on tbe 

 ice. It eventually proved to be tbe returning depot- 

 party. Tbey bad been absent from tbe brig twenty- 

 eigbt days, bad averaged eighteen miles of travel 

 per day, and bad constructed tbe depots of provi- 



