66 THE JEANNETTE ARCTIC EXPEDITION. 



on the morning of the 3d inst., they started upon their 

 journey. It was intensely cold, and the wind blowing in 

 squalls. Their course was directed toward the eastern coast, 

 where they could find shelter behind the hills, and driftwood 

 from which to make a fire and cook some food on reaching 

 camp at night. The traveling, with heavy loads on their 

 backs, was intensely disagreeable, while, to add to their dis- 

 comfort, the snow changed to rain, which drenched their 

 clothes and increased the weight of their burdens. The 

 route lay over a series of hills, which were very fatiguing to 

 men unaccustomed to land journeys. At night they rested 

 only a few hours, when it was too dark to see to travel. 



" As soon as it was sufficiently light to see, they started 

 again, with sore and stiffened limbs, and feet torn by the 

 sharp stones that covered the ground. At seven A. M. they 

 reached the beach, where a rousing fire was started and a 

 hot breakfast prepared, which put new life into the weary 

 travelers, and then, through the snow and rain, they plodded 

 until reaching the head of the bay, where they were over- 

 joyed to find a boat, which had gone there to bring in the 

 skins of Mr. Tracey's bears. An hour later they were 

 welcomed on board ship. 



"Almost at the same time that Waring started toward the 

 east with a fair wind, Ensign H. J. Hunt pulled away upon 

 his course to the westward. He was accompanied by En- 

 gineer Zane, and his crew consisted of five men. It was 

 hard pulling against the wind, and at nine o'clock, when he 

 encamped for the night, he was not more than about nine 

 miles from the harbor. The oars were brought into requi- 

 sition the following day, but the progress was not very 

 rapid. 



" During the day they saw what looked like a cairn upon 

 the beach, and Hunt landed to examine it. His praiseworthy 

 curiosity came near bringing him into trouble, however, for 

 he found himself within about six feet of a huge polar bear 

 taking a siesta, before he was aware of it. As the ponder- 

 ous brute raised his head and turned toward the intruder, 



