44 VOYAGE TO THE POLAR SEA. JUNE 



be demolished, as a preconcerted signal to the Captain, 

 I returned to my tent, and found the " social baro- 

 meter " had risen several inches ; but I heard after- 

 wards that Malley was received with tears. 



' 21^. Under weigh at 9.45. 



c The dog-sledge brought on the invalids by relays, 

 two at a time. This plan we continued until we 

 reached the ships ; the dogs and their blue-jacket 

 driver doing their hard work splendidly. As I feared 

 the inaction for the sick, I constantly made them do 

 some walking. The only exception I made to this 

 rule was in the case of the Sergeant, whom we kept 

 permanently on the " Challenger." It was now that we 

 observed with satisfaction the way in which my men 

 sought to relieve the dogs by walking themselves. 

 Mitchell did not get on the sledge at all, but trudged 

 on with great pluck and perseverance, Camped at 9.30 

 P.M. Eeaction has set in, and the excitement of yester- 

 day has given way to greater weakness and lowness of 

 spirits. Eegaled the crew with two pots of oysters, 

 apple jelly, and egg flips, much to their satisfaction. 



' Made good and travelled eight miles. 



' 22nd. As I did not want my men to hear of 

 poor Porter's death, and his grave was a short distance 

 \ ahead on the floe, I sent Self on with the ostensible 

 object of carrying the five-man tent and baggage ahead 

 first, but really to remove the cross which marked the 

 spot. This he did, and returned to go on with the same 

 work as yesterday, advancing the sick two at a time. 

 Directed Self to replace the cross over the grave, which 

 was accordingly done. 



'Travelling very good, except latter part of the 



