CHAPTER XXXVII 



FIRST CROSSING OF BANKS ISLAND [1915] 



FROM Mercy Bay we attempted to make a straight course for 

 Kellett, but within seven or eight miles came to the river that 

 enters the sea six miles west of the Bay and found it far too 

 large for crossing. At first we did not realize the size of it, and de- 

 scended into the valley and followed the winding course inland, ex- 

 pecting every moment to come to a fording place. When we did come 

 to gravel rapids where the river spreads out to two or three times its 

 ordinary width we went down to it with confidence and were aston- 

 ished to find that even here it was over six feet deep right close to the 

 land. This showed the folly of following the bank of the river, which 

 was difficult and caused delay, so we climbed out of the valley, trav- 

 eling south a mile or two away from it, and attempting to save time 

 by cutting across the bends. As usual, I walked a few miles ahead of 

 the others, hunting. This now served the additional purpose of 

 guiding the men, for by observing me on the sky line they coiild 

 tell in advance where the bends of the river were and how to make 

 short cuts. 



The second day out from Mercy Bay I killed three big bulls, 

 which meant more than enough meat, but seal blubber had run 

 out and we needed fat. With thirty or forty pounds of clear fat 

 accumulated, cows or yearlings would now serve for a satisfactory 

 diet. 



It took us eight days and perhaps seventy-five miles of travel 

 to get to a place where we could finally ford the river. Fortunately 

 it led almost straight south and therefore not more than twenty or 

 thirty degrees out of our road, and when it was just beginning to 

 turn to the east we found a ford. The ford was about three feet 

 deep with a width of eighty yards, and the current was so strong 

 that it would have swept us away had we not carried heavy ballast 

 on our shoulders. The unloaded dogs swam after us. We had to 

 cross in three relays to get all our stuff over, and on the third cross- 

 ing some of us were a little light. I think it was Storkerson who was 

 nearly swept off his feet. When I felt myself in danger of floating 



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