22 VOYAGE TO THE POLAR SEA. May 



has not been so good, the sastrngi which extends east 

 and west being very deep and rugged. 



' Although tired, everyone was loth to go into the 

 tent, the sun being warm enough to admit of a com- 

 fortable pipe outside. 



' The ground over which we have lately travelled, 

 rising as it does gradually from the eastward, and 

 terminating in a steep descent to the westward, 

 may be worthy of observation, as also the existence 

 of the numerous ridges and rollers of land and ice, 

 which abound hereabouts. The snoAV-drifts about 

 Cape Stephenson are very heavy, and of considerable 

 depth. The cape is about 300 feet high, and the hills 

 close to the eastward of it range from 400 to 600 

 feet.' 



Although an outbreak of scurvy was not then an- 

 ticipated, the unsatisfactory condition of the men was 

 causing Aldrich much anxiety. On the 10th he 

 writes : — 



4 The men are nearly all suffering a great deal with 

 their unfortunate legs, which appear to get worse 

 every day. This we all feel to be very disappointing, 

 as it affects the journey, and although stiff limbs were 

 expected, everyone thought the stiffness would wear off 

 in time. It seems, however, inclined to hang on, and 

 sets at defiance all the limited medical skill we possess 

 among us, and to scorn succumbing to turpentine lini- 

 ment, bandages, good " elbow grease," etc. The legs 

 get a little more comfortable after being a short time 

 under way ; but, somehow, the men do not appear 

 up to the mark. Ayles and I are the only two who 

 eat all the peminican we can get, I should like the 



