1875 LITTLETON ISLAND. 53 



which news proved to be correct, for ice was met the 

 next day at a distance of twenty miles from the island. 



A great number of eider ducks were nesting on 

 the north shore of the largest island; the ducklings 

 were about a week old, but several nests still contained 

 eggs. With the rising tide the current between the 

 islands set towards the N.E. The time of high and low- 

 water agreed with the observations of Dr. Hayes. In the 

 record left on Littleton Island I stated that it was my 

 intention to cross direct to the west shore of Smith 

 Sound, and to proceed northward along that coast. 

 Anticipating that it might be difficult for a sledge- 

 party to communicate with the island, I added that 

 should the cairn not be visited by a party from the 

 Expedition before June 1876, our despatches would 

 be found on Cape Isabella, and that I hoped to leave 

 records at Cape Sabine, Dobbin Bay, Carl Eitter Bay, 

 and Cape Bellot. 



During my absence from the ships, explorations 

 were made in various directions. Captain Stephenson, 

 accompanied by several officers, explored Foulke 

 Fiord to ascertain its suitability as a winter-harbour, 

 and visited the valley at its head, where Dr. Hayes' 

 expedition obtained as many reindeer as they could 

 consume. Our sportsmen were, however, not so for- 

 tunate, for after a very arduous walk amongst the 

 valleys at the base of Brother John's Glacier, ascend- 

 ing it and crossing its face to the other side of the 

 valley, only seven reindeer were seen and one secured. 



The settlement of Etah was visited, but no natives 

 were there; it consisted of three stone igloos, and 

 one hut roofed over with canvas spread on spars. 



