364 REVIEW OF THE JOURNEY. 



examination than I have yet been able to make, I 

 postpone any further allusion to the matter. To con- 

 fees the truth, the last days of the homeward journey 

 used us all up pretty thoroughly ; and, although the 

 confined atmosphere of the cabin is oppressive to me 

 after so long an exposure in the open air, yet the 

 doctor (which is my doppelganger) warns me to keep 

 to this lounge for a day or so. ^ I am not, however, 

 forbidden to write. 



I have returned well satisfied that Kennedy Chan- 

 nel is navigable; and it remains only to be proven 

 whether Smith Sound will open sufiiciently to permit 

 a passage through. With steam, I should have no 

 doubt whatever of my ability to force it ; with sails, 

 of course, the effort is filled with greater uncertainty ; 

 and yet, I think, the chances are with me. 



I am fully convinced that a route to the Pole, — a 

 route, certainly, not wholly unobstructed by ice, yet 

 fi:ee enough at least for steam navigation, is open 

 every summer from Cape Frazer ; and if I can pull 

 through to that point, then I shall have accomplished 

 the full measure of my desires. In truth, this is the 

 real difficulty. My views of the whole matter will be 

 set down here on the spot as opportunity offers from 

 day to day. To-morrow, I hope to be sufficiently re- 

 covered from the fatigues of the journey to begin the 

 discussion of my materials, and the projection of my 

 chart. 



And now, with a heart filled with thankfulness to 

 that Great Being who suffereth not even a sparrow to 

 fall to the ground without His notice, I have here the 

 happiness to record that in these two months of peril- 

 ous traveling, He has spared me and every member 

 of my party from serious accident or permanent in 

 jury. , 



