424 THE JEANNETTE ARCTIC EXPEDITION. 



there he directed Mr. Gilder to travel overland to Irkutsk 

 and send home by telegraph the news of the loss of the 

 Rodgers and the condition of her crew. Mr. Gilder started 

 on his long journey January 7th ; some account thereof will 

 be given hereafter. 



On the 10th of February, Lieutenant Berry and Ensign 

 Hunt, with a team of thirteen dogs and accompanied by 

 Ehr Ehren, who had a team of his own, started from Camp 

 Hunt to make a journey westward along the coast in search 

 of the Jeannette crew. On arriving at Nschni Kolymsk, 

 March 25th, Berry heard of the loss of the Jeannette and 

 sent back to Camp Hunt particulars thereof by Ehr Ehren. 

 He also announced his intention of joining the searchers on 

 the Lena, and directed Waring to return home by the 

 first vessel. His meeting with Melville has been already 

 described. 



After the departure of his superiors Engineer Zane took 

 charge of Camp Hunt. There was plenty of provisions and 

 books, and also of Chukche visitors, but the long winter was 

 a monotonous one for white men. The natives were friendly 

 and had free access to the house, but they staid so long that 

 it became advisable to send all of them away excepting 

 some of the older ones at 4 p. M., which was the supper hour. 

 Midnight was generally the time for turning in, and break- 

 fast was eaten at ten o'clock in the morning. 



Towards spring Dr. Jones and Petersen, with natives and 

 two dog-teams carrying provisions, started for St. Lawrence 

 Bay. Zane and Melms remained to take charge of the 

 house, and during the absence of their companions they 

 had quite an exciting adventure. 



One day three strangers came to the house, and were well 

 treated and given presents. Towards night all the natives 

 excepting the strangers and two others were sent away; 

 they were allowed to stay, and something to eat was given 

 them after supper. While Melms was washing the dishes, 

 Zane sat with his elbows on the table reading a book. The 

 five natives were standing around, but as it was supposed 



