i 3 2 THE SIEGE OF THE NORTH POLE 



a temperature of 67° below freezing-point. On the 17th 

 another of the crew was found suffering from swollen and 

 puffy knee-joints. 



On the 19th, Markham decided to abandon the larger 

 boat. This boat had always been regarded as an incubus 

 by the party, and every one was well pleased to get rid of 

 it. Even then, in order to advance the three sledges, the 

 road had to be frequently walked over five times. On 

 this day, the 19th, a third man fell ill. On the 24th 

 the 83rd parallel of latitude was crossed. Other two 

 of the party exhibited symptoms of scurvy on the 27th. 

 The temperature on the 28th rose to 2°, the first day the 

 thermometer registered above zero. On the 2nd of May 

 Markham became convinced that his invalids were suffer- 

 ing from scurvy. Great as were the natural difficulties 

 which surrounded him, this was rightly regarded as the 

 most formidable of all obstacles to their advance that 

 could possibly be imagined. On the 7th May three of the 

 invalids had to be carried on the sledge, and the other 

 two could scarcely walk. On the'lOth, Markham arrived 

 at the determination of dragging the sledges no farther 

 in a northerly direction. He decided to give the invalids 

 two days'' rest. In order to insure being within 400 miles 

 of the North Pole, the whole of the party, with the ex- 

 ception of the invalids and two men to look after them, 

 started on the 12th to the northward, carrying with them 

 the sextant, artificial horizon, and all their colours and 

 banners. Shortly before noon, the artificial horizon was 

 set up, and the flags and sledge-standards displayed. 

 The latitude was found to be 83° 20' 26" N., or 399* 

 miles from the North Pole. The announcement of the 

 position was received with three cheers, with one more for 

 Captain Nares ; then all sang the " Union Jack of Old 

 England, 11 winding up, like loyal subjects, with "God 

 Save the Queen. 11 



