1870 NORTHERN SLEDGE JOURNEY. 375 



out of our little force totally prostrate, and four others 

 exhibiting decided symptoms of the same complaint, it 

 would be folly to persist in pushing on. In addition 

 to which the greater half of our provisions have been 

 expended. To-morrow will be our fortieth day out ; 

 only thirty-one days' full allowance of provisions 

 remain, so that prudence and discretion unite against 

 our own desire of advancing, and counsel a return. 

 A complete rest to the invalids of a couple of days 

 may be productive 4 of much good, during which time 

 we may be usefully engaged in making observations in 

 various interesting matters. With this we must be 

 content, having foiled so lamentably in attaining a high 

 northern latitude. It is a bitter ending to all our 

 aspirations. 



6 11th. — As it was desirable to benefit by the heat 

 of the day during the time we were employed making 

 our observations, breakfast was ready at half-past 

 eight. Immediately after, the men were set to work 

 to cut a hole through some young ice that lay between 

 the hummocks bordering our floe. This they accom- 

 plished in three hours, the thickness of the ice being 

 sixty-four inches. With a hundred-fathom line, we 

 sounded to ascertain the depth of water, and to our 

 great surprise obtained soundings in seventy- two 

 fathoms, the bottom consisting of clay. Arming the 

 lead, and appending to it various other contrivances 

 for the purpose of collecting a specimen of the nature 

 of the bottom, we succeeded in obtaining a small 

 quantity, which has been carefully preserved in a 

 small bottle for conveyance to the ship. The hardness 

 of the substance prevented a large supply being ob- 



