GREELY'S EXPEDITION (1884) 201 



On the 19th January it was found that the bread was 

 overrunning the estimate, and the ration was increased a 

 half-ounce. This partly dispelled the gloom caused by 

 the first funeral. On the 21st January it was discovered 

 that at some time twelve cans of milk had been stolen. On 

 the 26th, Rice and Jens received an extra allowance of 

 food, so as to strengthen them for a proposed trip to 

 Littleton Island. At this time old leather boots were 

 being burned to augment the fuel. The general ration 

 was again slightly increased on the 28th. A still further 

 increase was made on 1st February. On the 2nd, Rice 

 and Jens started for Littleton Island, accompanied by 

 Brainard and Christiansen for a short distance. They 

 carried six days' 1 rations. They returned on the 6th Feb- 

 ruary, having found open water. Rice believed that he 

 reached within 10 miles of Littleton Island. The trip 

 exhausted Jens very much. 



On 27th February the last of the onions, dog-biscuits, 

 and coffee was reached. On 2nd March the last general 

 issue of lemons took place, and the last can of milk was 

 opened for Elison. On 3rd March, Frederick was pro- 

 moted by Greely to be sergeant in place of Cross, who had 

 died. This and similar promotions were afterwards dis- 

 approved of on the ground that there was " no precedent 

 for them " ! Red tape in its most vivid colours can 

 evidently flourish in the land of " liberty. 11 



On 11th March, Long and Christiansen were sent to 

 Alexandra Harbour in search of game. They returned 

 on the 13th very much exhausted. They saw no game 

 and no tracks, except of a single fox. On the 14th, 

 Brainard shot three ptarmigans, the first game obtained 

 since early in February. Other three were shot on the 

 15th, and four dovekies on the 16th. On the 17th the 

 rations had to be reduced to 7 oz. of bread and 4 oz. 

 of meat. On the 21st a net was made in which to catch 



