280 VOYAGE TO THE POLAR SEA. April 



doubts as to whether advantage had not been taken of 

 the day to hoax us. However, when walking to Black 

 Cape we observed the unmistakable footprints of a 

 wolf, which considerably exceeded in size those of the 

 largest of our Eskimo dogs. Later in the day more 

 than one of these animals were seen in the vicinity of 

 the ship, and in the afternoon Frederick came across 

 the recent traces of three musk-oxen. A party from 



FROZEN BEARI). 



the ship at once started in pursuit of them, but were 

 unsuccessful ; evidently the wolves are following the 

 musk-oxen. 



' The pemmican biscuits, prepared at the recom- 

 mendation of Mr. Thomas Grant are much liked; 

 the sledge crews are supplied with a quantity of them 

 instead of the ordinary ship's biscuit. 



' During the last few days officers and men have 

 clipped all the hair off their faces ready for travelling, 



