1876 RELIEF PARTY STARTS. 3 



8 18th. — Last night the temperature, which has 

 been up to freezing point for two days, fell to 20°. 

 This is highly favourable for the travellers. The 

 colder the weather the better road will they find across 

 Feilden Peninsula. The snow on the floe is now wet 

 and heavy in places, but the thaw cannot be said to 

 have set in. In the immediate vicinity of the ship it 

 is more in advance than elsewhere ; the dirt and smoke 

 from the funnels collected on the floebergs in the 

 neighbourhood help to absorb the heat-rays from 

 the sun and to quicken the natural decay. Owing to 

 the pool of water which surrounds the ship it has 

 been necessary to construct a long gangway with two 

 spare topsail yards to bridge over the space. 



8 All the powder has been brought on board, but I 

 am waiting for warmer weather to dry the magazine 

 before stowing it away. 



8 The depot being still untouched, Lieutenant May, 

 with well-rested dogs and three strong men, Malley, 

 Self, and Thornback, started this evening to meet 

 Aldrich and his party, with orders to continue their 

 journey if necessary to the depot at Cape Colan, 

 where Aldrich was due twelve days ago. 



8 19 th. — The country in our neighbourhood is so 

 covered with snow that it would be useless for shoot- 

 ing parties to leave the ship. But as the hills near 

 Cape Eichardson present a more promising appearance 

 Parr and Feilden, drawing a small sledge, have started 

 for Knot Harbour in the hope of obtaining some fresh 

 game ready for Aldrich's men. 



8 Nelly, Markham's dog, and both the cats, are 

 suffering in health, and are supposed to have scorbutic 



