to reach the North Pole in 1827. 378 



been deposited ; " and," says Captain Parry, " I cannot de- 

 scribe the comfort we experienced in once more feeling a dry 

 and solid footing."*^ Having got the stores into the boats, an 

 attempt was made to land on Table Island, but without suc- 

 cess; — they then bore away for Walden Island. The islet 

 which lies off Little Table Island, and which is interesting, as 

 being the most northern land known upon the globe. Captain 

 Parry named Ross'*s Islet, in honour of Lieutenant Ross, a 

 young officer, distinguished for his great activity, zeal, and in- 

 telligence. In a few hours they reached Walden Island, and 

 made good a landing. 



" Every thing," says the narrative, " belonging to us was now completely 

 drenched by the spray and snow ; we had been fifty-six hours without rest, 

 and forty-eight hours at work in the boats, so that by the time they were un- 

 loaded, we had barely strength left to haul them up upon the rock. We no- 

 ticed, on this occasion, that the men had that wildness in their looks which 

 usually accompanies excessive fatigue, and, though just as willing as ever to 

 obey orders, they seemed at times not to comprehend them. However, by 

 dint of great exertion, we managed to get the boats above the surf; after 

 which, a hot supper, a blazing fire of drift wood, and a few hours* quiet rest, 

 quite restored us." 



The next morning a party, under Lieutenant Ross, was sent 

 to the north-east part of the islet, to launch the spare boat left 

 there by Captain Parry's orders, and to bring round the provi- 

 sions deposited there. Every thing was found undisturbed. 

 At 10 A. M., on the 14th August, they left Walden Island in 

 three boats, and next morning landed on Low Island. On the 

 16tb the expedition set off for the Hecla, but were forced back 

 to Low Island, and could not finally escape from it until the 

 21st. 



" Havmg now, by means of drift wood, converted our paddles into oan^ 

 and being occasionally favoured by a light breeze, with a perfectly open sea, 

 we made tolerable progress, and, at half-past 4 p. m., when within three or 

 four miles of Hecla Cove, had the gratification of seeing a boat under sail, 

 coming out to meet us. Mr Weir soon joined us in one of the cutters ; and, 

 after having ^ood accounts of the safety of the ship, and of the wel&re of all 

 on board, together with a variety of details, to us of no small interest, we ar- 

 rived on board at 7 p. m., after an absence of sixty-one days, being received 

 with that warm and cordial welcome which can alone be felt, and not describ- 

 ed. The distance traversed during this excursion was 569 geographical miles, 

 but allowing for the number of times we had to return for our baggage du- 

 ring the greater part of the journey over the ice, we estimated oiur actual 



JANtJARY — MARCH 1828. sb 



