BENNETT ISLAND. 663 



gone as far as this before camping, I preferred to have 

 a clear stretch at first for onr next move, hoping to see 

 the land meanwhile, and perhaps change our course to 

 more favorable ice. Saw several murres, one loon, and 

 many gulls. Walrus meat again for supper, and then, 

 except his flippers, we have eaten all the choice parts. 

 Our dogs have literally gorged themselves on the re- 

 mainder, and some of them are too fat for comfort. 



We are, thank heaven, rid of the wet, slushy travel 

 which tried us so long. So many holes have been made 

 through the ice, either old seal-holes or places where 

 mud has collected, that the surface snow in melting has 

 drained off, leaving good, fine, hard traveling. Our 

 only enemy now is an ice-opening, and unfortunately 

 this occurs frequently. 



Piped down at nine A. M. ; called all hands at six p. m. 

 The sun shining brightly, though much fog around the 

 horizon prevented us from seeing the land. Under 

 way at 8.10 p. m., and made good time over the mile of 

 smooth ice which lay before us. At the end of this 

 mile we came to some trouble ; a mess of loose pack, 

 fifty feet in width, and some rough ice beyond, sepa- 

 rated us from hard ice one quarter of a mile distant. 

 However, we made a flying bridge, or ferry rather, and 

 by 12.10 A. m., 



July 23eZ, Saturday, had everything across in safety 

 on the hard ice, and halted for dinner. Turned to at 

 1.20 a. m. and went ahead. The fog seemed inclined 

 to lift, and we could see a point showing which, from 

 its bearing N. 40° W. (magnetic), I judged to be the 

 point which yesterday bore ,N. 56° W. (magnetic). 

 Shaped a course to carry us to the left of it. We came 

 to some good hard ice again after crossing one bad 

 mess, and I hurried along a good mile and a half to a 



