334 NEAREST THE POLE 



making a total of one hundred and one for the autumn 

 hunting. 



From the beginning of November to March 6th, the 

 greater portion of the time was passed by my party 

 in igloos built in the vicinity of the game killed in 

 various localities, from Discovery Harbour to Ruggles 

 River. 



April 5th I left Conger with Henson, one Eskimo, 

 two sledges and twelve dogs for my northern trip. At 

 the same time the remainder of the party, with two 

 sledges and seven dogs and pups, started south for 

 Capes D'Urville and Sabine, to communicate with 

 or obtain tidings of my ship. On reaching 

 Lincoln Bay it was evident to me that the condition 

 of men and dogs was such as to negative the possi- 

 bility of reaching the Pole, and I reluctantly turned 

 back. 



Arriving at Conger, after an absence of eight days, 

 I found the remainder of my party there. They had 

 returned after an absence of four days, having pro- 

 ceeded one-third of the distance across Lady Franklin 

 Bay. Fortunately, the night before I arrived, one 

 of the Eskimos secured several musk-oxen above 

 St. Patrick's Bay, which enabled me to feed my dogs 

 before starting south, which I did with the entire 

 party on April 17th. 



April 30th, at Hayes Point, I met a party from the 

 Windward attempting to reach Conger, and received 

 my mail, learning that the Windward was at Payer 

 Harbour with Mrs. Peary and our little girl on board. 

 After a rest at the D'Urville box-house, I went on to 

 the Windward, arriving May 6th. 



