1876 LIEUTENANT GIFFARD RETURNS. 321 



return depot. They have clone their work well and 

 expeditiously, but unfortunately two of his men have 

 broken down, with scorbutic symptoms. 



' This trip is another instance of how dependent 

 Arctic travellers are on all the sledging arrangements 

 being carried out to the letter, and how the failure of 

 one supporting sledge may entail disaster on the chief 

 party. Mr. Giffard was obliged to establish the depot 

 of provisions at the point agreed upon previous to the 

 return of the advance party under Lieutenant Aldrich. 

 On his journey to perform this duty two men hopelessly 

 broke down ; not having sufficient time to return with 

 them to the ship before the main party would arrive 

 at the pre-arranged depot, he was necessarily obliged 

 to leave the invalids for five days in a snow-hut, 

 made as comfortable, or rather as free from discomfort, 

 as circumstances permitted. The following extract 

 from Lieutenant GifFard's journal refers to this 

 incident : 



' On the 12th of May I came to the conclusion 

 that I must leave Lorrimer behind in a snow-house 

 whilst we went on to Cape Colan with the depot. He 

 has been gradually getting worse ever since we left 

 the ship, and there is not much chance of getting him 

 olF the sledge again now for some time. On the loth, 

 whilst luncheon was getting ready, the sledge with a 

 half load, advanced to James Eoss Bay, and I looked 

 about for a suitable place to build a snow-house. 

 Both on the land and bay the snow was too soft ; 

 however, close to the shore of the bay, was a large 

 old hummock, which looked promising ; we went up 

 to it, and found a capital place. 

 vol. I. Y 



