1915] TO UPERNAVIK AND BACK 129 



bred contempt. He had negotiated the trip six times. 

 The distance from Cape York across Melville Bay to 

 Cape Seddon is 170 miles. This he planned to negotiate 

 in three marches, which could easily be done with good 

 going, no leads, and clear weather. He certainly de- 

 pended upon such ideal conditions, as the amount of 

 dog food upon our sledges and the nature of his equip- 

 ment showed. We each had one seal — two meals for 

 our dogs. I had no sleeping-bag. He had no compass. 

 I quote from my diary verbatim to show the inevi- 

 table result of a poorly planned Arctic trip and some- 

 thing of the dangers of crossing Melville Bay in the 

 depths of winter: 



January ^tk, Monday. — To-night we are encamped on the ice, 

 sleeping out; there is no snow suitable for a snow house. Every 

 one pretty well iced up. Should judge it to be about forty below. 



January 5th, Tuesday. — A succession of old ice, young ice, and 

 open leads. 



There must be a lot of open water somewhere. The bay is full 

 of mist, obscuring the moon and cutting off our view shoreward. 

 Only a short march. We cannot see where we are going. 



January 6th, Wednesday. — Darkness and mist have again com- 

 pelled us to stop with a short march to our credit. Wind is from 

 what I judge to be southeast, and looks hke snow. Still sleeping 

 out; no suitable snow for an igloo. 



January 7th, Thursday. — Blowing and snowing, but traveling 

 much preferable to sitting on our sledges without shelter. Have 

 been going in what we think is the right direction. We are to- 

 night in the shelter of a very large berg. Shall remain here until the 

 weather clears. 



Henrick has left a bag of biscuit somewhere on the trail; rather 

 a serious loss, as we have not many. Only one more feed for our 

 dogs. 



Very cold to-night. Am sleeping without shelter or a sleeping- 

 bag. 



January 8th, Friday. — Weather cleared during the night, a brill- 

 iant moonlight, giving us a good view of land. Thinking possibly 



