316 Knud Rasmussen. 



which was at the mouth of a stream, we found a number of minor 

 objects which Freuchen recognised as having belonged to the Dan- 

 mark Expedition, but no report. On the hills a little way inland 

 we could see two small cairns, built for survey purposes, and 

 finally, on a prominent point of rock a little distance away, a fairly 

 high cairn dominating the rest. In spite of careful search we found 

 still no report here, which greatly surprised us, as the nature and po- 

 sition of the cairn would certainly seem to suggest that it had been 

 built to receive the report of an expedition, more especially as it was 

 erected close to the spot where Mylius Erichsen and his two com- 

 rades had spent their fatal summer. 



I then wrote a report stating the progress of our expedition up 

 to date, adding in conclusion the following: 



"The expedition started out with four sledges and 53 dogs. After 

 reaching land the number of dogs was reduced to three teams, or 32 

 in all, on account of difficulties in the matter of food. These dogs are 

 now in good condition, although the continual work and lack of rest 

 have taxed their strength considerably. 



We hope to survey and explore the Peary Channel in the course 

 of July, after which we shall look out for a place whence we can get 

 up on to the inland ice. In July the dogs should be rested and fed, 

 and in Augus.t we set out again over the inland ice to Wolstenholmes 

 Sound. No report was found in the cairn at this place, nor have we 

 discovered any trace of Mikkelsen and Iversen anywhere in the Fjord." 



The fact that no report from Einar Mikkelsen was found in a 

 prominent cairn built in such a conspicuous place which must neces- 

 sarily be passed on the way to Peary Channel made it justifiable to 

 suppose that he had not reached so far, it being a natural precaution 

 and general custom among arctic explorers not to pass such a cairn 



