SHERIDAN TO THE BIG LEAD loi 



Marvin came in from the ship at 9 p. m. of the 

 4th, with three Eskimos and Ryan, the fireman who was 

 to take young Percy's place, the latter having been 

 invalided back to the ship with an injured eye. 



On the 5th, the last eight sledges got away for 

 Point Moss, I bringing up the rear with Inueto, as I 

 had to see that things remaining at Hecla were left in 

 order, and the permanent igloo there closed against 

 wind and drifting snow. 



The day was clear and cold with violent gusts of 

 wind from the northwest driving in our faces. 



My sledge being loaded with bulky articles of 

 spare equipment, was somewhat top-heavy and re- 

 peatedly capsized. 



I arrived at Point Moss a little before midnight, after 

 a good but fatiguing march. It was brilliant moon- 

 light, and the twilight arc now swung nearly all the 

 way through north. 



March 6th I left Point Moss and headed northward 

 from the land over the Polar pack. 



In 1902 it w^as just a month later that I left Hecla 

 going north. And four years previous, on the 6th 

 of March, I left Payer Harbour with eighteen sledges 

 on a journey which took me to 84° 17' north latitude; 

 a great march as regards distance and latitude cov- 

 ered. 



I quote from my Journal: " If I can do as well this 

 time we shall win. God and all good angels grant it, 

 and let me seize this great trophy for the Flag." 



We were rather late in getting started and it was 

 noon when we left the edge of the ice some tw^o miles 

 north of the land. Here the sun was visible for a few 



