36G VOYAGE TO THE POLAR SEA. April 



any size could be seen — nothing but an uneven range 

 of shapeless masses of ice. By 4 p.m., with such 

 energy did our road-makers work, a practicable road, 

 nearly a mile in length, was completed, and we all 

 returned to lunch. After this was discussed the tents 

 were struck, and the march resumed. Although the 

 keen wind was decidedly unpleasant, by making sail 

 on the boat, it materially assisted us. Having arrived 

 at the end of our road, we halted and camped'. 

 Crossed the 83rd parallel of latitude to-day. Porter 

 was still obliged to be carried, but Shirley was able to 

 walk after us. Distance marched five miles ; made 

 good one and-a-half. Temperature minus 26°. 



' 2bth. — A bright day, but with a low temperature, 

 and just sufficient wind to keep us fully aware, in a by 

 no means pleasant manner, that we possess noses, or 

 rather portions of them. The travelling to-day has 

 been fairly good, we have been able to make a little 

 more progress, but the snow remains very deep. 

 Many of the hummocks passed, although smooth and 

 rounded on the top and on one side, were precipitous 

 on the other, resembling in a great measure the 

 grounded floebergs in the vicinity of the ' Alert's ' 

 winter quarters. 



' 26th. — Proceeded at noon. Temperature inside 

 our tent last night as high as 35°, and outside as high 

 as minus 2°. This is a change for the better. The 

 drifts are frequently as much as twelve feet high, and 

 it is a regular case of travelling up and down hill. 

 The floes are not of any great extent, but are, notwith- 

 standing, of enormous thickness. They are separated 

 from each other, apparently having no connection, by 





