EXPEDITION OF 1898-1902 323 



of young ice upon the water. The next day I moved 

 up close to the Cliffs, and then with three Eskimos 

 reconnoitred the young ice. I found that by proceeding 

 with extreme care it would in most places supportaman. 



With experienced Ahsayoo ahead, constantly testing 

 the ice with his seal spear, myself next, and two 

 Eskimos following, all with feet wide apart, and 

 sliding instead of walking, we crept past the cliffs. 

 Returning we brushed the thin film of newly fallen 

 snow off the ice with our feet, for a width of some four 

 feet, to give the cold free access to it. 



I quote from my diary for the 27th: 



"At last we are past the barrier which has been loom- 

 ing before me for the last ten days — the open water at 

 the Black Horn Cliffs. Sent two of my men, whose 

 nerves are disturbed by the prospect ahead, back to 

 Conger. This leaves me with Henson and three Eski- 

 mos. My supplies can now be carried on the remain- 

 ing sledges. Still further stiffened by the continuous 

 low temperature of the previous night, the main sheet 

 of new ice in front of the cliffs was not hazardous, as 

 long as the sledges keep a few hundred feet apart, did 

 not stop, and their drivers keep some yards away to 

 one side. Beyond the limit of my previous day's re- 

 connoissance there were areas of much younger ice, 

 which caused me considerable apprehension, as it 

 buckled to a very disquieting extent beneath dogs and 

 sledges, and from the motion of the outside pack, was 

 crushed up in places, while narrow cracks opened up 

 in others. Finally, to my relief, we reached the ice- 

 foot beyond the cliffs and camped." 



