187(3 ALDRICIl'S RETURN JOURNEY. 37 



lbs., which, with the constants, brings up the total to 

 1,000 lbs., or a load of 200 lbs. per man. 



4 13th. — Breakfasted off 6 lbs. of preserved meat 

 which had been forwarded with the depot. Everyone 

 relished the change, and ate well. 



' A heavy fall of snow, and a dense fog puts an end 

 to my only chance of getting down the inlet. We have 

 not been fortunate in our weather as far as fog is 

 concerned. Took the collapsible boat off the sledge, 

 fitted her with drag-ropes, and with a light load gave 

 her in charge of the three worst invalids, who managed 

 to keep together and get along slowly, but causing us 

 to lose much time by waiting for them. Got on very 

 fairly till eight o'clock, when Good nearly fainted. 

 There appears to be utter inability to get breath, no 

 pain, and no difficulty to speak of in breathing when 

 at rest. The least exertion brings it on. I am half 

 afraid we shall not get on board without assistance, for 

 which either Ayles or myself will have to walk in. An 

 entirely lost day, one way and another. Made good 

 a mile and-a-half. 



6 Notwithstanding the sickness, the consumption of 

 food to-day has been very large. 



' 14th. — Order of travelling the same as yesterday. 

 Snow hard and good, seldom letting one in above the 

 ankle. Pitched tent for lunch and to wait for invalids. 



' Made good way again after lunch, until within a 

 mile of Sail Harbour, when we came into the most 

 villainous snow, which caused nothing but standing 

 hauls. In this our comfort greatly depended on keep- 

 ing way on the sledge, and our struggles to do so 

 would have been ludicrous to anyone not engaged in 



