1876 EGERTON AND RAWSON'S JOURNEY. 291 



when clearing harness, have become blistered and are 

 rather uncomfortable. 



' 2£th. — Under weigh by 9.15 a.m. Found a floe 

 which would take us into the land. Got to Cape 

 Beechey at 11.10, having come through about half a 

 mile of very hummocky stuff just off the point. A 

 glorious day, and the prospect of good travelling before 

 us. All very thirsty, so halted for a quarter of an hour 

 to melt some snow. 



' All along Shift Rudder Bay we had excellent 

 travelling on the snow-foot, then came another bay, 

 deeper than the last and about three miles wide. As 

 there appeared to be a good even floe in it we struck 

 across, but found the snow just hard enough not to 

 bear ; it appears to be getting softer as we get more to 

 the southward. At 6.15 we pitched at the northern 

 side of St. Patrick's Harbour. 



' Temperature of the air minus 30°. 



'2bth. — At 9.15 a.m. started. Crossed St. 

 Patrick's Harbour on a large blue-topped floe, extend- 

 ing nearly the whole way across, the snow upon it 

 soft. Saw a Hutch ensign Hying on a small island, 

 which we recognised as the place where the " Alert" 

 touched the ground last year. Took to the land here, 

 and found a well-beaten track, so we stepped out at 

 a brisk pace, the dogs getting very excited. After 

 rounding numerous small points, which shut out the 

 ship from view, we at length sighted the " Hiscovery," 

 and gave three cheers as loud as ever we could. We 

 were all in very high spirits at the thoughts of seeing 

 our friends on board, and the prospect of a comfortable 

 night instead of the usual cold and cramps. We were 



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