1875 EXTRACTS FROM ALDRICH'S JOURNAL. 157 



1 A fine morning, with a temperature of 21°, which 

 I should like to have seen lower, as I had nothing to 

 do but try and get across the new ice which had turned 

 me back yesterday afternoon. On reaching its edge I 

 divided the loads, and by making two trips succeeded 

 in getting over all right, the runners occasionally 

 breaking through. 



4 The dogs were free from fits during the day, 

 which promised an improvement much looked for. 



' September 2bth. — By aid of drag-belts and half- 

 loads the overland route to Victoria Lake was accom- 

 plished, the distance being about a mile, but not 

 enough snow to render it easy work ; in fact, the land 

 was nearly bare, except in patches, which we availed 

 ourselves of as often as possible. On reaching the ice 

 with the first load, I found it to be a solid floe of 

 rounded hummocks, bare of snow, and of great age ; it 

 terminated in a sheet of clear, beautiful ice which I 

 doubt not is of this season's formation, and which was 

 about ten inches in thickness, and over nearly six feet 

 of fresh water. We appreciated the fact of our being 

 on a freshwater lake most thoroughly, and everyone 

 turned out to be thirsty. 



'By 3.30 p.m. I had to cut another dog adrift, it 

 being far too constantly ill to do anything ; this left 

 five in one sledge and six in the other. It may perhaps 

 be thought more humane to kill rather than desert 

 dogs ; but I have found from experience that some- 

 times they follow your tracks, and that they again 

 become useful ; and on my return to the ship last time, 

 a dog by name " Michael " went down in a fit within 

 a couple of miles of the ship ; he was cut adrift and 



