284 VOYAGE TO THE POLAR SEA. March 



excellent health and spirits, and beyond sore faces and 

 frost-bitten fingers not much the worse for their expo- 

 sure. The news received from Captain Stephenson is 

 most cheering ; with the exception of one man who has 

 suffered from scurvy all our friends are well and have 

 passed a happy and comfortable winter. Over thirty 

 musk-oxen had been shot during last autumn, and 

 frequent rations of fresh meat have been issued to the 

 crew throughout the winter. There was naturally 

 much excitement at Discovery Bay on the receipt of 

 our news, and great rejoicing on the parts of both 

 officers and men on learning that they were to join in 

 the exploration of the northern coasts. Preparations 

 for sledging were hastened, and Captain Stephenson 

 immediately despatched a party across Hall Basin to 

 visit the depot of the " Polaris " at Thank God Harbour, 

 to ascertain whether the provisions left there by the 

 Americans would be fit for use by our travelling 

 parties. 



' The sledge crews of the " Discovery " have been 

 told off as follows : Lieutenants Beaumont and Eawson 

 and Dr. Coppinger, with three sledges and twenty-one 

 men, are to explore the north shores of Greenland. 

 Lieutenant Archer and Mr. Conybeare, with two 

 sledges and eighteen men, to explore Lady Franklin 

 Sound. On Conybeare's return to the " Discovery," 

 after completing Lieutenant Archer's sledge with 

 provisions, he and his men are to transport a boat 

 across Hall Basin, to enable Beaumont to return later 

 in the season to Discovery Bay, should the ice have 

 broken up. Captain Stephenson, after seeing the Lady 

 Franklin Sound party well on their way, intends to 



