388 VOYAGE TO THE POLAR SEA. June 



fortunate invalids who was securely lashed on the top. 

 As it was, the whole of the rear part of the sledge was 

 immersed in the water. The thickness of this ice was 

 only three or four inches. The wind freshening into a 

 strong gale, and blowing upon us with all its fury, 

 precluded any farther advance, and necessitated a halt 

 at 3.15 a.m., we being then unable to distinguish more 

 than a couple of sledges' length ahead. We were all 

 wet through, and very wretched and uncomfortable, 

 the falling snow and drift thawing on our clothes as 

 quickly as it fell. Distance made good half-a-mile. 



' June 1st. — The wind subsided considerably during 

 the night, although the weather remained thick, and 

 snow and wind squalls were prevalent. Our old 

 track is completely obliterated, and it is only occasion- 

 ally by seeing evidences of our former journey, such 

 as bits of tobacco, tin pots, &c, that we know we 

 are still adhering to it. Travelling altogether very 

 heavy. Snow in places up to our waists, and very 

 wet between the hummocks, our foot-gear being 

 literally soaking. Distance made good two miles. 

 Temperature 34°. 



8 2nd. — A sad list of sick this morning. Eawlings 

 and Simpson completely done up, and utterly incapable 

 of further work. It is marvellous how they have kept 

 on so long. Lawrence is also attacked in his arms as 

 well as his legs. We are now reduced to only six 

 men, and they anything but healthy or strong, and two 

 officers. Five men are carried on the sledges, and four 

 can just manage to crawl after. Our routine is first to 

 advance the heavy sledge, which is dragged by the 

 whole available party, namely, eight ; then return and 



