352 VOYAGE TO THE POLAR SEA. A run, 



' 7th. — The sledge " Bloodhound " having fulfilled 

 the duties entrusted to her, she was despatched to the 

 ship at 8 a.m. Gave her three cheers on parting. A 

 beautiful day, but very cold. A few slight frostbites 

 were sustained yesterday, but quickly restored. The 

 travelling to-day is a foretaste of what we are to 

 expect ; heavy floes fringed with hummocks, through 

 and over which the sledges have to be dragged. Dr. 

 Moss was fortunate enough to shoot a hare on Depot 

 Point, which is to be reserved as a bonne bouche for us 

 when we attain our highest latitude. Land very much 

 distorted by mirage. Camped for the night on a floe 

 off Cape Hercules. Temperature remains extra- 

 ordinarily low : minus 41°. Distance marched fourteen 

 miles ; made good four and-a-half. 



' Sth. — A charming day, although the temperature 

 persists in remaining low. Care has to be taken in 

 selecting the road so as to avoid the hummocks as 

 much as possible ; occasionally we are brought to a 

 standstill by a belt of more than ordinarily large ones, 

 through which we have to cut a road with pickaxes 

 and shovels. Sledges double-banked as before. The 

 large sledge, on which is the twenty-foot ice-boat, 

 drags very heavily. This is caused by the overhanging 

 weight at the two extremities. Glare from the sun 

 has been very oppressive ; the snow in places resembles 

 coarse sand, and appears more crystallised than usual. 

 A few of the party, including Parr and myself, suffer- 

 ing from snow-blindness. Distance marched ten miles. 

 Temperature minus 30°. 



4 9 th. — Same system of double-banking the sledges 

 continues. Parr's snow-blindness is no better, mine no 



