TO THE ARCTIC REGIONS. 123 
to find their way to the next post, and ultimately, to 
the ships. At two of the larger poles (on one of 
which an ensign, and on the other an union-jack 
were hoisted) provisions were also left for them ; and, 
after dusk, a large fire was lighted on the top of one 
of the most conspicuous hills near the coast ; and, 
on the top of a pole erected at the same place, was 
fastened a lanthorn, which, from its elevated situa- 
tion, must be seen at a considerable distance. Lights 
are also hoisted at the ship’s mast-heads, guns are 
fired, and rockets set off at regular intervals; in fact, 
every thing has been done, and is still doing, that 
can be deemed likely to be of any service in directing 
the party to the vessels. 
Monday, 13th. — Arrangements having been made 
last night, four parties started at day-light this 
morning in different directions, in hopes of falling in 
with the unfortunate people above-mentioned, for 
such we now had every reason to consider them ; — 
the length of time they had been absent, the in- 
clement state of the weather during these two days 
past, and the inadequate manner in which they were 
provided to withstand it and hunger together, were 
certainly sufficient reasons to put every person in a 
state of anxiety, if not of apprehension, for their safety. 
In the afternoon, however, we were relieved from 
this state of inquietude by the appearance of one of 
our parties returning with four of them. From these 
we learned that the other three could not be far dis- 
tant, as they only parted with them yesterday; 
moreover, the officer who went with the party is one 
of the three who are now missing, and from know- 
ing him to be an intelligent man, we all felt 
