174 VOYAGE TO THE POLAR SEA. September 



Having left a notice of our proceedings at Norman 

 Lockyer Island, and wishing to take full advantage of 

 the calm weather, to ensure visiting the more important 

 station on Cape Isabella, I passed Brevoort Island 

 without stopping, consequently the provisions left there 

 have not been touched. 



As we passed the Lefferts, Alfred Newton, and 

 Wyville Thomson Glaciers, all of which discharge ice- 

 bergs, thebroken-ofF pieces were observed to be floating 

 at less than half the height of the glacier cliff above 

 the water. 



At 10 p.m. we arrived at Cape Isabella, and on 

 Commander Markham climbing up to the depot he 

 found the package of letters and newspapers left there 

 by Sir Allen Young a few weeks previously ; we gathered 

 from them that a duplicate packet had been carried on 

 to Cape Sabine. 



It was now a consideration whether I should return 

 to Cape Sabine or not ; but as it was quite certain that 

 the ' Pandora ' had not advanced north of Hayes Sound, 

 and was not herself in want of assistance, I decided to 

 be content with the letters which we had received, 

 and to push on for Disco while the weather remained 

 favourable. 



Owing to the thick coating of snow on the ground, 

 we failed to find the notice Sir Allen Young had 

 buried twenty feet magnetic north of our cairn, which 

 would have informed me that he had considerately 

 landed the principal mail at Littleton Island. To this 

 oversight on our part the loss of the jmncipal mail was 

 due. 



Had it not been so late in the season, with so much 



