OFF TO THE SOUTH. 249 



"They were nearly all of them invalids, unused to open air and exercise. It was 

 necessary to train them very gradually. We made but two miles the first day, and with 

 a single boat; and, indeed, for some time after this I took care that they should not be 

 disheartened by overwork. They came back early to a hearty supper and warm beds, and 

 I had the satisfaction of marching them back each recurring morning refreshed and cheerful. 

 The weather, happily, was superb. 



Repeated sledge journeys back to the brig, and afterwards from station to station, were 



CAPE ALEXAXDEK, GREENLAND. 



made, as they could not transport all their goods at one time in their enfeebled state. 

 No one worked harder than did the commander himself. On one of his last visits to the 

 brig, he, with the aid of Morton and an Esquimaux, baked 150 Ibs. of bread, and per- 

 formed other culinary operations for the benefit of the whole party. 



Their journey was one of peril and difficulty, and constantly interrupted by gales. 

 The reflection would now and again force itself upon their minds that a single storm might 

 convert the precarious platform on which they travelled into a tumultuous ice-pack. While 

 crossing a weak part of the ice one of their sledge-runners broke through, and but for the 

 presence of mind of Ohlsen, the load, boat and all, would have gone under. He saw the 

 ice give way, and by a violent exercise of strength, passed a capstan-bar under the sledge, 

 and thus bore the load till it was hauled on to safer ice. He was a very powerful 

 112 



