RETURN FROM "FARTHEST WEST" 227 



that it was entirely impracticable. The surface of the 

 bay was completely covered with large connecting 

 lakes and wide streams. 



The route along the outer edge of the ice-foot was 

 the only way, and to reach this we were obliged to 

 retrace our steps to camp, and were then bothered 

 by two or three lakes, and one large river which forced 

 us well out among the floes with their waist-deep 

 drifts, before we could get around it. In this way 

 we lost three hours. 



After this the going was better, and the course 

 fairly direct, the slush and water averaging only about 

 ankle deep. One other river some fifty yards wide, 

 with a pronounced cataract, forced us again out on 



to the floes. 



We have travelled very slowly, however, the dogs' 

 feet being in terrible condition from the sharp ice and 

 constant wetting. Nearly all are fitted with boots, 

 but still they only limp along. The gray dog was 

 killed here, and fed to the others, together with five 

 of the Jesup Land deerskins which there has been no 

 chance to dry, and which are spoiling. If we don't 

 reach Cape Alexandra it will mean another dog, as I 

 have no more pemmican. After the first hour to-day, 

 continuous fog. 



Disraeli Bay, July 15^/1.— Another hell-begotten day, 

 or rather night. Dense fog, with the sun shining 

 through it at times, but the land invisible, was the 

 programme at the last camp. While we were getting 

 ready to start, portions of the land showed up, and 

 remained visible for about one hour. 



