THE SEA. 



remainder of the party, carrying the sextant and artificial horizon, and also the sledge- 

 banners and colours, started northwards. " We had/' says Markham, " some very severe 

 walking, struggling through snow up to our waists, over or throtfgh which the labour 

 of dragging a sledge would be interminable, and occasionally almost disappearing through 

 cracks and fissures, until twenty minutes to noon, when a halt was called. The artificial 



A SLEDGE PARTY STARTING FOR CAPE JOSEPH HENRY. 



horizon was then set up, and the flags and banners displayed, these fluttering out bravely 

 before a S.W. wind, which latter, however, was decidedly cold and unpleasant. At noon 

 we obtained a good altitude, and proclaimed our latitude to be 83 20' 26" N., exactly 

 399^ miles from the North Pole. On this being duly announced, three cheers were given, 

 with one more for Captain Nares; then the whole party, in the exuberance of their spirits 

 at having reached their turning-point, sang the "Union Jack of Old England/' the 

 grand PalaBcrystic sledging chorus, winding up, like loyal subjects, with " God Save the 

 Queen." These little demonstrations had a good effect on the spirits of the men, and on 



