COOK'S EXPEDITION (1908) 325 



the sledges were made of a pattern combining the qualities 

 of the Yukon and the Eskimo. Unlike many others, he 

 did not abandon the old-fashioned iron shoes for strips 

 of German silver. For dog-harness the Eskimo pattern 

 was adopted, but in order to prevent the dogs eating the 

 harness, the shoulder-straps were made of folds of strong 

 canvas, while the traces were cut from cotton log-line. 



Pemmican, made of pounded dry beef, sprinkled with 

 a few raisins, some currants, and a small quantity of sugar, 

 was selected as the staple food both for men and dogs. 



Early in January 1908 some sledges were sent across 

 Smith Sound to explore a route and to advance supplies. 

 These advance expeditions were only partly successful, 

 however, owing to storms having rendered the moonlight 

 of little service. 



The main expedition left Annootok on 19th February 

 1908. It consisted of eleven men, one hundred and three 

 dogs, and eleven heavily loaded sledges. The crossing of 

 Smith Sound to Cape Sabine was found to be about the 

 most difficult part of the whole journey. The temperature 

 was low, and as the season was early, there were only a 

 few hours of sunlight daily. From Cape Sabine a course 

 was made into Flagler Fiord. From the head of this fiord 

 Ellesmere Island was crossed to Bay Fiord. In crossing 

 the land the temperature went down to the astonishingly 

 low figure of 83° F. below zero. 



In Bay Fiord a large number of musk-oxen were 

 obtained, which enabled the party to save their provisions. 

 From Bay Fiord the expedition entered Eureka Sound, and 

 proceeded northward along the coast of Heiberg Island. 

 The ice was fairly smooth, and long marches were made. 

 Caches of food and ammunition were left along Heiberg 

 Island for the return journey, which Dr. Cook intended 

 to make by way of Canon Fiord. As an abundance of musk- 

 oxen, bears, and hares were obtained, it was found unneces- 



