IN THE BOATS. 697 



diligence for their preservation and the safety of the boat. 

 You will, under all circumstances, keep close to the boat in 

 which I shall embark, but if, unfortunately, we become sep- 

 arated, you will make the best of your way south until you 

 make the coast of Siberia, and follow it along to the westward 

 as far as the Lena River. This river is the destination of our 

 party, and without delay you will, in case of separation, ascend 

 the Lena to a Russian settlement from which you can commu- 

 nicate, or be forwarded with your party to some place of 

 security and easy access. If the boat in which I am embarked 

 is separated from the two other boats, you will at once place 

 yourself under the orders of Lieut. C. W. Chipp, and, so long 

 as you remain in company, obey such orders as he may give 

 you. Respectfully, 



George W. De Long, 

 Commanding U. S. Arctic Expedition. 



At 8.30 called all hands to muster. Read Articles of 

 War, and then performed divine service. Piped down 

 at nine. Soundings in twenty fathoms. 



August 8th, Monday. — Called all hands at six. 

 Breakfasted at seven. Wind S. jS. W. Temperature 

 28°. Turned to at eight and commenced to drag the 

 sleds and boats across the floe to a lead on the south 

 side. 



I then went ahead, and by 11.50 had, perhaps, made 

 one half mile. Stopped for dinner. Most of our work 

 was dragging, though we had a little boating. At 1.10 

 turned to and went down a lead one mile, and then 

 were stopped. Cape Emma in sight, bearing N. N. W. 

 Distance ten miles. At three halted. After hauling 

 our boats out and having an impassable dragging road 

 ahead of us, waited for a probable opening. Disap- 

 pointed, and dragged along everything a little further 

 to some hard ice, when at five we halted to get supper. 

 Mr. Collins got a seal, and Dunbar shot three murres. 



