354 VOYAGE TO THE POLAR SEA. April 



will drag uncommonly heavy, and over the rough 

 hummocks we are certain to encounter our only mode 

 of advancing will be by a system of double-banking 

 which simply means one mile made good for every 

 five actually marched. If we accomplish two miles 

 a day it will be a fair day's work. On shore we 

 observed numerous traces of hares and ptarmigan, 

 but although Dr. Moss followed up the trails of the 

 former, his attempts to obtain any were not crowned 

 with success. 



'11th. — A dull, overcast day. Snow falling. I was 

 again greatly indebted to Moss for his efficient aid in 

 assisting me to choose a road for the sledges, Parr being 

 still laid up with snow-blindness, and my sight " not 

 quite the thing." Aldrich has very wisely determined 

 to return to the land and try his luck through the Snow 

 valley, instead of rounding Cape Joseph Henry. At one 

 o'clock, displayed all colours, and parted company 

 with Aldrich's division and our two supporting sledges 

 amid much cheering. They were soon lost sight of 

 amongst the hummocks. Parr in advance with half a 

 dozen men cutting a road with pickaxes and shovels, 

 the remainder of the men dragging up the sledges 

 singly. Got on to a heavy floe and then in amongst 

 a mass of heavy hummocks, through which appeared 

 no road or outlet ; but the steady and persevering 

 exertions of Parr and his road-makers performed 

 wonders, and the sledges were soon travelling over a 

 road that had before looked impenetrable and impass- 

 able. The floes are small, but very heavy. It is 

 difficult to estimate their thickness, but it must be very 

 considerable. They appear to have had a terrible 



