98 NEAREST THE POLE 



and re-stowing sledge loads, the expedition quartering 

 in seven snow houses and subsisting upon four musk- 

 oxen killed just back of Cape Hecla. 



On February 28th, Henson left Cape Hecla with a 

 pioneer party of three light sledges. Captain Bartlett 

 and his party followed the next day, then Clark and 

 his party, then Dr. Wolf, then Marvin, Ryan and 

 myself. During our stay at Cape Hecla there was open 

 water along the ice foot and a large lead reaching 

 north from the cape. 



I quote from my Journal; 



March 4th. — Still blowing viciously from the west 

 with blinding drift. My men came in from feeding 

 the dogs, with their clothes driven full of snow. 



Of course, everything is still stalled by the furious 

 wind. Henson should be three marches out on the 

 ice, Bartlett two, and the Doctor one. Clark is at 

 Point Moss, I am here with four men, and Marvin 

 should be on Fielden Peninsula. 



I have, however, no reason to complain of the 

 weather. From the 19th till yesterday there has 

 been no really bad weather and the first five days 

 here were perfect, considering the place and the season, 

 enabling me to get my parties away and attend to all 

 essential details without serious discomfort. 



Now we are well supplied with food, and the 

 dogs have plenty to eat and are well sheltered. 

 The wind has closed all the water, for the time 

 being at least. My new device, the alcohol lamp, is 

 working out finely and makes tea or coffee almost in 

 no time. 



