1870 RAWSON ORDERED TO RETURN. 95 



striking resemblance of the symptoms to the ones 

 described in the voyage of the " Fox," as being those 

 of Lieutenant Hobson, who suffered severely from 

 scurvy, suggested it to my mind, and my suspicions 

 were confirmed by Gray, the captain of my sledge, an 

 ice quartermaster, who, in his whaling experience, has 

 seen much of it. He, however, led me to believe, at 

 the same time, that it would probably wear off. Thus, 

 from the 7th until the 10th I waited, hoping that his 

 words might prove true. 



6 1 was very reluctant to order Lieutenant Eawson 

 to return ; it was like sending back half the party ; it 

 would be, I felt, a great disappointment to him to turn 

 back then, and the loss of his advice and assistance would 

 be considerable ; but the indications of the disease 

 and their aggravated nature became too plain to be 

 misunderstood — sore and inflamed gums, loss of 

 appetite, etc., all pointed too clearly to . scurvy ; so on 

 the 10th of May it was arranged that Lieutenant 

 Eawson, with his party, should take Hand back, 

 deciding, on his arrival at Eepulse Harbour, whether 

 to cross over to the " Alert " or go on to Polaris Bay. 

 I at the same time called upon the remainder of my 

 men to say honestly if they suspected themselves to be 

 suffering from the same disease, or could detect any of 

 its symptoms, as in that case it would be better for the 

 party to advance reduced in numbers than to be 

 charged with the care of sick men. I did this because 

 two of them had complained of stiff legs after the hard 

 work on the snow-slopes ; but they all declared them- 

 selves to be now perfectly well, and most anxious to go 

 on. 



