THE MARCH OVER THE FROZEN OCEAN. 631 



July 9th, Saturday, we had advanced everything one 

 and one quarter miles, and had come to a halt for din- 

 ner. Our traveling to-day must make up for our mis- 

 haps and delays of yesterday. We can do well enough 

 when the ice holds together. It is only these ugly open- 

 ings which make us lose ground. 



Now that we have two of the sleds lightened and the 

 clogs' work increased, I find that the men have to go 

 over the same ground four times each way, minus one, 

 and the dog teams five, minus one. This means that at 

 the first trip they bring up two sleds; second trip, two 

 sleds ; thircl trip, first cutter ; fourth trip, second cutter 

 and whaleboat, and, generally speaking, they and the 

 dog sleds finish the day's work at the same time. One 

 mile made, therefore, means seven miles traveled by 

 men, and nine by clog sleds. What with coming and go- 

 ing, ■ — getting ahead to select road and going back to 

 see the rear close up, — I am three times over our road 

 night and morning, and I know from my own sensations 

 how welcome the camping hour must be to Melville and 

 the men. Alexey stills hangs to his work, though under 

 the weather from indigestion. I learn from the doctor 

 that one cause of Alexey's clownheartedness lately was 

 because his father and uncle died from the same disor- 

 der, and he feared he was surely about to follow them ; 

 and another cause was his anxiety lest he should not 

 be paid because he was sick, and thus Aneguin would 

 get more money than he. He seems to have a won- 

 derful confidence in our ability to provide him with 

 everything, for he very seriously told the doctor yes- 

 terday that he would like some mutton ! When pem- 

 mican has to be fish, flesh, and fowl to us, his request 

 was somewhat amusing. The northwest wind continued 

 fresh while we were at dinner, and though we cowered 



