2 VOYAGE TO THE POLAR SEA. Jtjxe 



could be indistinctly seen, though thirty miles distant, 

 whenever the atmosphere was clear. 



I continue to quote from my journal : — 



« 14 th. — After seeing Markham's men made com- 

 fortable, and distributing Sherard Osborn's cham- 

 pagne to those among them whom the doctor permitted 

 to receive it, I ascended to the look-out cairn. The 

 depot appeared smaller than when last seen, so I con- 

 clude that Aldrich has visited it. If so he will be at 

 Knot Harbour to-morrow, and will signal from thence. 



' Ibth. — The invalids are already showing signs of 

 improvement, and are in excellent spirits. Misty 

 weather prevents our seeing the depot, but there was 

 no flag hoisted at Cape Eichardson. 



' Although the ice is apparently free to rise and fall 

 with the tide, it does not do so to the full extent, the 

 water rising and falling from four to eight inches in 

 each crack in the floe. As the ship is firmly sealed to 

 the ice any tidal observation dependent on the register 

 being secured to the ship would require a correction. 



< 17 th. — The depot was distinctly in sight to-day ; 

 it has certainly not been disturbed. If Aldrich does 

 not arrive there to-morrow a relief party must start to 

 meet him ; however, he is so judicious an officer that 

 I have every confidence in his actions whatever may 

 overtake him. Arctic sledging is necessarily pre- 

 carious work ; although with specially equipped ex- 

 peditions it has hitherto been attended with success 

 yet there have been many hair-breadth escapes. 



' In favoured localities the purple saxifrage is in 

 full flower. A bright piece adorned the dinner-table 

 to-day. 



