THE WHITE WORLD 



Alert on McGary Island, and proceeded to Payer Island. 

 Our passage was, fortunately, comparatively clear of ice, 

 and we had little or no difficulty in making our way. Payer 

 Harbor is an indentation on the coast, which is in part 

 enclosed by Brevoort, Stallknecht, and Payer Islands. 

 Brevoort Island is the largest of these, about two miles 

 south of Cape Sabine. The harbor was frozen over, and 

 we made fast to the northern edge of the ice. Exploration 

 parties, four in number, were at once sent out, to examine, 

 at one and the same time, all the depots in the neighbor- 

 hood. 



After this examination had been satisfactorily accom- 

 plished, it was our intention to push on immediately into the 

 Kane Sea. We scarcely imagined that anything of im- 

 portance would be discovered by the exploring parties, and 

 those who remained on board ship were therefore engaged 

 in active preparations for the onward journey. The wind 

 was very high and was roaring with might and main. 



Suddenly, above all the turmoil, was heard the sound of 

 cheering. At first we could not tell from what quarter the 

 sound proceeded. Another cheer came. This time it 

 sounded nearer and louder. All work was suspended; all 

 were eager, breathless with expectation as to what the next 

 moment might bring forth. What did this cheering por- 

 tend? Our ears were tingling, our lips apart with our 

 quick breathing, our hearts aflame. Oh, God grant that 

 it meant good news was the fervent, though unspoken, 

 prayer of us all! 



Then a signal came. Ah, with what wildly throbbing 

 hearts we read it! It was from Ensign Harlow on Stall- 

 knecht Island. 



" Have found Greely's records. Send five men." 



The excitement! What words can depict it? And it in- 

 creased at every moment. 



Before Harlow's request could be complied with, a man 

 was seen running across the ice. This was Yewell, who 

 told us, with panting breath, that a message from Greely 

 had been found in the cairn on Brevoort Island. Yewell 

 screamed out to the officers on deck, as he waved the papers 

 he carried, that Greely's party was at Cape Sabine and all 

 well. 



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