BENNETT ISLAND. 679 



enough was I to get a solid foothold anywhere, and I 

 gave the order to camp at 6.30 p. m. (our first sled hav- 

 ing got on the ice-foot about five), everything being 

 hauled in as near to the land as possible, say fifty feet 

 from it. Rocks were occasionally slipping down and 

 falling into a little stream of water at the foot of the 

 cliff, the stream being where the thawing of surface 

 ice has left a channel about four feet deep. 



The face of the cliff was literally alive with dove- 

 kies. Supper at 7.30 p. m. At 8.30 p. m. all hands 

 were called to muster and, led by me, everybody waded, 

 or jumped, or ferried over to the land, where we held 

 on as well as we could to the steep slopes of debris, 

 while our colors were displayed. When all had gath- 

 ered around me, I said, " I have to announce to you 

 that this island, towards which we have been struggling 

 for more than two weeks, is newly discovered land. I 

 therefore take possession of it in the name of the Pres- 

 ident of the United States, and name it Bennett Island. 

 I now call upon you to give three cheers." And never 

 were three more lusty cheers given. With great kind- 

 ness three were then given for me. 



I now change the date to the correct one, and record 

 that at 8.30 p. m., 



July 29th, Friday, I added Bennett Island to Amer- 

 ican soil. Our landing cape I name Cape Emma. 

 Piped down at nine p. m.; fresh E. wind, thick fog; 

 ice off shore rapidly moving west. The birds kept up 

 a fearful chattering all night, but we slept well in spite 

 of it. 



July 30th, Saturday (correct dates hereafter). — 

 Called all hands at seven. Breakfasted at eight, and 

 at nine A. m. turned to. Our plan of operations for our 

 stay was put into execution as follows : — 



